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MAUD MULLER’S MINISTRY 


MAUD MULLER’S 
MINISTRY 


THE CLAIMS OF CHRISTIAN 
SOCIALISM 


BY THE 

REV. JAMES LAWRENSON SMILEY 


ANNAPOLIS, MD. 






jllBRARY of CONatSESS 
Two Copies Received 

OtC 17 1907 

CopyriiLiii entry 
I '2.0, ^ ^ oy 

CUSS CKj XXc. No. 

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I COPY B. 


Copyright, 1907, by 
JAMES LAWRENSON SMILEY 


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“ Should I keep back my opinions at such a time^ through fear of giving 
offense^ I should consider myself as guilty of treason toward my country^ and 
of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven^ which I revere above 
all earthly kings .*^ — Patrick Henry. 


% I 


TABLE OF CONTENTS 


PACK 

Preface 7 

Poem 9 

CHAPTER 

I How It Happened 15 

II The Marshall Family 23 

III Cupid’s Progress 30 

IV The Inevitable 42 

V Thorns 48 

VI The New Home * 53 

VII A Bellamy Club 63 

VIII Analysis of Bellamy’s Socialism 65 

IX The Campaign Opens 80 

X A Religious Mass Meeting 87 

XI The Farmers' Rally 99 

XII The Converted Bishop 113 

XIII An Apostolic Sermon 126 

XIV Its Effect 147. 

XV The Election 149 

XVI Good Friday or Easter — Which? 154 

Topical Index 157 



PREFACE 


Wild stories of adventure win wide popularity. 
This book lays no claim to such a character. It aims 
rather to picture a scene of sober, domestic joy as 
the type of that national happiness to be realized by 
the adoption of a certain economic policy. 

No disappointment, therefore, will be felt if the 
work fails to circulate among mere fiction-lovers. 
To thoughtful citizens it is addressed, and among 
such it seeks a reasonable welcome. 

For the convenience of our readers, we herewith 
re-print Whittier’s well-known poem. 

Imagining the actual occurrence of the poet’s 
“might have been,” we have endeavored to depict 
the consequent happiness, and also to show the in- 
significance of money as a factor in true love. 

Similarly we believe that Capital and Labor can 
easily ignore money, and be joined together as “no 
longer twain but one,” in an indissoluble union. 

It remains for the nations to decide whether they 
will promote the holy wedlock of Capital and Labor ; 
or, whether pride and prejudice shall be permitted 
to keep them asunder, to their own mutual regrets, 
and to the world’s irreparable loss. 


# 


MAUD MULLER 


Maud Muller, on a summer's day, 

Raked the meadow sweet with hay. 

Beneath her torn hat glowed the wealth 
Of simple beauty and rustic health. 

Singing she wrought, and her merry glee 
The mock-bird echoed from his tree. 

But when she glanced to the far-off town. 

White from its hill-slope looking down. 

The sweet song died, and a vague unrest 
And a nameless longing filled her breast, — 

A wish, that she hardly dared to own. 

For something better than she had known. 

The Judge rode slowly down the lane. 

Smoothing his horse's chestnut mane. 

He drew his bridle in the shade 
Of the apple-trees, to greet the maid. 

And asked a draught from the spring that flowed 
Through the meadow across the road. 

She stooped where the cool spring bubbled up, 

And filled for him her small tin cup. 

And blushed as she gave it, looking down 
On her feet so bare, and her tattered gown. 


10 


MAUD MULLER’S MINISTRY 

\ 


“Thanks!’’ said the Judge; “a sweeter draught 
From a fairer hand was never quaffed.” 

He spoke of the grass and flowers and trees, 

Of the singing birds and the humming bees ; 

Then talked of the haying, and wondered whether 
The cloud in the west would bring foul weather. 

And Maud forgot her brier-tom gown, 

And her graceful ankles bare and brown ; 

And listened, while a pleased surprise 
Lx)oked from her long-lashed hazel eyes. 

At last, like one who for delay 
Seeks a vain excuse, he rode away. 

Maud Muller looked and sighed : “Ah me ! 

That I the Judge’s bride might be ! 

“He would dress me up in silks so fine. 

And praise and toast me at his wine. 

“My father should wear a broadcloth coat 
My brother should sail a painted boat. 

“I’d dress my mother so grand and gay. 

And the baby should have a new toy each day. 

“And I’d feed the hungry and clothe the poor. 

And all should bless me who left our door.” 

The Judge looked back as he climbed the hill. 

And saw Maud Muller standing still. 

“A form more fair, a face more sweet. 

Ne’er hath it been my lot to meet. 


MAUD MULLER 


11 


^'And her modest answer and graceful air 
Show her wise and good as she is fair. 

"‘Would she were mine, and I, to-day, 

’Like her, a harvester of hay : 

“No doubtful balance of rights and wrongs, 
Nor weary lawyers with endless tongues, 

“But low of cattle and song of birds. 

And health and quiet and loving words.’' 

But he thought of his sisters proud and cold. 
And his mother vain of her rank and gold. 

So, closing his heart, the Judge rode on. 

And Maud was left in the field alone. 

But the lawyers smiled that afternoon. 

When he hummed in court an old love-tune ; 

And the young girl mused beside the well 
Till the rain on the unraked clover fell. 

He wedded a wife of richest dower. 

Who lived for fashion, as he for power. 

Yet oft, in his marble hearth’s bright glow. 
He watched a picture come and go ; 

And sweet Maud Muller’s hazel eyes 
Looked out in their innocent surprise. 

Oft, when the wine in his glass was red. 

He longed for the wayside well instead ; 

And closed his eyes on his garnished rooms 
To dream of meadows and clover blooms. 


12 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


And the proud man sighed, with a secret pain, 
‘‘Ah, that I were free again ! 

“Free as when I rode that day. 

Where the barefoot maiden raked her hay/’ 

She wedded a man unlearned and poor. 

And many children played round her door. 

But care and sorrow, and childbirth pain. 

Left their traces on heart and brain. 

And oft, when the summer sun shone hot 
On the new-mown hay in the meadow lot. 

And she heard the little spring brook fall 
Over the roadside, through the wall. 

In the shade of the apple-tree again 
She saw a rider draw his rein. 

And, gazing down with timid grace. 

She felt his pleased eyes read her face. 

Sometimes her narrow kitchen walls 
Stretched away into stately halls ; 

The weary wheel to a spinnet turned. 

The tallow candle an astral burned. 

And for him who sat by the chimney lug. 
Dozing and grumbling o’er pipe and mug, 

A manly form at her side she saw. 

And joy was duty and love was law. 

Then she took up her burden of life again. 
Saying only, “It might have been.” 


MAUD MULLER 


13 


Alas for maiden, alas for Judge, 

For rich repiner and household drudge ! 

God pity them both ! and pity us all. 

Who vainly the dreams of youth recall. 

For of all sad words of tongue or pen. 

The saddest are these : 'Tt might have been V" 

Ah, well ! for us all some sweet hope lies 
Deeply buried from human eyes ; 

And, in the hereafter, angels may 
Roll the stone from its grave away ! 



CHAPTER I 


HOW IT HAPPENED 

^^Oh, mamma, I Ve caught a beau ! Did you see 

himr 

The speaker’s face was all aglow with a merry 
excitement. She had just came in from the hay- 
field and was improving the time before supper by 
tidying the sideboard and darting playful glances at 
her mother in the mirror. 

Mrs. Muller having closed the oven door upon a 
savory corn pone, stood with stove-cloth in hand, 
and gazed, with amused interest, at the laughing 
face reflected in the glass. 

^'Maud, you badness !” she retorted. ^ What ever 
shall I do with you, girl. A new beau, indeed ! 
What would Sam say?” 

‘'Now, mamma, how often have I asked you not 
to tease me about Sam Norris! He’s nice enough 
for a ‘walking-stick,’ as the city girls would say, but 
a serious beau is quite another matter.” 

“Come, girl,” replied her mother, incredulously, 
“when you begin to talk about serious beaux, I shall 
carry tales to your father. He can’t afford to lose 
such a good haymaker as you have proven to be.” 


16 


MAUD MULLERS MINISTRY 


Then, after a moment’s pause, she added : ‘'Unless 
you settle down near here and promise to help your 
father whenever he is short of hands.” 

With this peremptory charge, Mrs. Muller put a 
few finishing touches to the supper-table and went 
to the outer door to call her husband. Maud waited 
a moment for her mother’s return. “Now, mamma,” 
she continued in a tone of affected reproof, “I am 
surprised at your lack of curiosity. Any other 
woman would have asked ‘Who is this new catch?’ 
but you simply discuss the old farm business. What 
does that amount to when a girl’s heart is affected?” 
and the serio-comic expression on Maud’s face 
momentarily puzzled her matter-of-fact mother. 
Then bursting into a hearty laugh she exclaimed 
“Well, well, here comes your father; we will sit 
down to supper and then hear all about this new 
conquest.” 

“Hello, Maud.” was the first greeting of farmer 
Muller, as he kicked the door-block to clean his 
boots, “What’s all this I’ve been hearing of you 
to-day?” and the mischievous twinkle in his mirth- 
ful eyes brought a deeper blush upon Maud’s al- 
ready glowing cheek. 

“Come, daughter,” persisted the teaser, “I heard 
all about it from Bill Wheaten. Mother, what do 


HOW IT HAPPENED 


17 


you think? Ha, ha, ha,” he laughed, while the ro- 
bust form of the honest toiler shook with hearty 
amusement. 

Mrs. Muller's face was now all interrogation. 
She gazed first at her husband, then at Maud, but 
could read nothing definite in the countenance of 
either. Maud's round young face betrayed con- 
tending emotions ; like an April day, it wavered be- 
tween sunshine and rain. She could have cried 
with vexation at the merciless thrusts of her father, 
and yet felt ready to join him in his hearty laugh- 
ter. 

But the mother's curiosity was now thoroughly 
aroused. ^^Come,” she urged, ^^allow me to share 
this mysterious information, but don't let this pone 
get cold ; we will talk while we eat, if my curiosity 
does not get the better of my appetite.” 

With this, the three sat down to the table, and 
dismissing the good-natured banter, Mr. Muller rev- 
erently returned thanks for the substantial meal. 

After an appropriate pause the subject of Maud's 
little romance promptly asserted itself. Mrs. Mul- 
ler was the first to speak. 

‘'Now, Dad,” she said as she began to dish out the 
cool clabber, “tell me all about this day's happen- 
ings. I thought when my daughter went out to rake 
the hay, that she took the greatest pleasure in com- 


18 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


muning with Nature. She is constantly talking of 
the wild flowers and ferns, the sweet song-birds and 
bright little squirrels, that I had cut her out for a 
naturalist — ’’ 

^‘Yes,’’ interrupted her father, ‘^she is indeed a 
naturalist, but her studies in Nature have ended, 
like the order of Creation, with man,’’ and the 
farmer chuckled gaily at his own joke. 

‘‘Well, come to the point, old man,” insisted the 
mother. “Who is the other subject of all this mys- 
terious talk?” 

“Let Maud confess all,” he rejoined, “and by 
pleading ‘guilty’ win a lenient sentence from you, 
her judge.” 

“Oh, stop this strange talk,” demanded his wife, 
“and tell me all in plain English.” Since you sat on 
the jury. Dad, your conversation is constantly filled 
with legal terms and phrases. One would take you 
for a judge — ” 

“Ha, ha, ha,” broke in the delighted prosecutor, 
as he kicked Maud’s foot under the table, — “Now, 
mother, in this game of ‘Hot Buttered Beans’ you 
are getting very hot indeed.” ' 

While Maud struggled bravely with her feelings, 
and wondered whether it would be rude to leave 
the table at once, her mother rejoined, with no little 
sign of impatience, “Will this puzzling language 


HOW IT HAPPENED 


19 


never stop? Come, daughter, you can talk plainer 
than your self-elected prosecutor; make your con- 
fession, girl, and I will try to be a lenient judge.” 

A roar of laughter brought the tears to Mr. Mul- 
ler’s eyes as he exclaimed, “The fates will reveal the 
whole truth if the prisoner doesn’t soon speak.” 

Tears, 'but of mixed emotions, were in Maud’s 
eyes also, for a sense of the ridiculous struggled 
with her wounded feelings. She was visibly embar- 
rassed — a condition so unusual in this free-hearted 
girl, that the mother’s suspicion of seriousness in 
the affair was now fully awakened. 

“Well, mamma,” at last Maud ventured, “I will 
tell you all that Bill Wheaten saw ; and you can see 
at once that father has been raising a tempest in a 
teapot. This afternoon, while I was raking the hay 
^xear Poplar Spring, Judge Marshall came along on 
horseback, reined up opposite the spring and asked 
me for a drink. I dipped up a cupful and gave it 
to him. He thanked me very courteously, talked a 
little about the beauties of the country and the pros- 
pects of the weather; then he rode away. That’s 
all that Bill Wheaten saw.” 

“Well, dear, that was all perfectly proper,” 
answered Mrs. Muller with approving smile, “but 
yet, what did you mean yourself when you told me 
just before supper — ?” 


20 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


Maud flushed; she had been completely thrown 
oflF her guard by her father’s attacks, and now she 
was cornered by this simple and direct questioning. 

‘‘Yes,” persisted the relentless father, “you have 
told the truth, nothing but the truth, now tell us 
‘the whole truth,’ as the judge would say. Tell us, 
what did Cupid see?” 

“Oh, nothing,” answered Maud with increasing 
composure, “except a rich judge gratefully thank- 
ing a poor country girl for ‘a cup of cold water' 
which, as the Bible declares, ‘shall in no wise lose 
its reward.’ ” 

Mr. Muller was on the point of jesting about the 
‘reward’ but his reverence for the Bible checked 
him and he said simply, “Now, mother, that the 
‘Judge’ mystery has been solved to your satisfac- 
tion, give me the satisfaction of hearing Maud’s be- 
fore-supper confession.” 

“Why, she said she had ‘caught a beau’ and I 
would have taken it for a piece of nonsense, but her 
after-conduct has aroused my suspicions.” 

“Good !” said the father, “that is certainly damag- 
ing testimony. What say you, prisoner ?” 

“I say,” replied Maud with decided but respect- 
ful emphasis, “a girl has certainly a right to joke 
confidentially with her mother.” 

“And can’t her father share the fun?” he pleaded. 


HOW IT HAPPENED 


21 


^'Certainly, papa, if he doesn’t tease too much,” 
and Maud’s tone evinced a strong desire to change 
the subject. 

Mr. and Mrs. Muller were too considerate to pro- 
long the jesting further and the conversation soon 
took another turn. 

Supper concluded and table cleared, Maud re- 
paired to her room. ^'What a goose I have made of 
myself!” she soliloquized, self-reproachfully. ‘‘I 
never minded teasing so much before, but tonight I 
betrayed my vexation. Mamma read me deeper 
than I intended she should. She thinks Cupid has 
smitten me. I am glad she cannot yet be certain of 
it. How she would reprove my folly if she knew that 
I was smitten. The Judge’s smile was so gracious, 
his manner more than kind, his whole bearing as 
charming as any girl could wish even from a most 
devoted suitor. And yet, foolish girl that I am, the 
idea of his having any serious thought of me is 
utterly absurd. What a pity we were not born in 
the same society, either both aristocrats, or both 
ordinary country-folks. In either case I could lo’ — 
lo’ — yes, I can tell myself — love him, and no one 
can hear — ” Maud started, for she imagined some 
one was coming ; it was only her own shadow, how- 
ever, which she saw reflected in the mirror. Breath- 
ing easier, she continued, ‘‘No one can read my 


22 


MAUD MULLERS MINISTRY 


thoughts. ‘No one’ did I say? I wonder if he read 
them. Oh, dear! I believe I betrayed something of 
my inmost feelings to him. When he caught my eye 
and looked me full in the face with his kindly glance, 
did I forget myself and beam upon him with equal 
frankness ? Maud Muller, did you forget yourself ? 
Well, I can’t exactly see the harm. If two unmar- 
ried persons exchange glances of lo’ — of friendli- 
ness, what fault can there be? Such must be the 
experience of all true courtships. Ha, ha,” she 
laughed softly to herself, “I am a dunce; my 
thoughts travel like lightning, leaping and flashing 
one after another, from an accidental meeting to a 
wonderful marriage. What would the aristocratic 
Judge Marshall thing of this foolish and presump- 
tuous country girl ?” 

With such reflections, alternating between self- 
gratulation and reproof, Maud retired to rest; and 
inevitably continued the happy reverie in dreamland, 
where the scene at the spring was re-enacted with 
a charm and romantic setting which even Cinderella 
herself might have envied. 


CHAPTER II 


THE MARSHALL FAMILY 

In active life, as well as in art, strong contrasts 
are sometimes as pleasing as harmonies. It will, 
therefore, dO' no violence to our reader’s sensibilities 
to proceed from the plain country farm-house just 
mentioned to a stately city mansion on Washington 
Place. 

The owner, a comparatively young man of ath- 
letic build, has just returned home from a horse- 
back ride. His genial, thoughtful face suggests a 
studious, judicial mind. His manner is that of a 
gentleman of high birth, upon whom inherited 
riches sit lightly, and as a matter of course. The 
practice of law has given him a keen insight into 
human nature, and taught him to classify men by 
the measure of merit rather than that of money. 

Running up the stairs with light and easy step, 
he greets his mother and sisters with wonted cor- 
diality and then proceeds to his room to prepare for 
dinner. 

'Tn half an hour,” he reflected, ‘ Ve shall sit down, 
and the girls will quiz me, as usual, about my ride 
and its incidents. Well, I shall tease them sure 


24 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


enough this time — tell them I have ^caught my 
catch/ They are so fond of calling me ‘old bach.’ 
Now I shall turn the joke and inform them that they 
are destined to become sisters-in-law to a country 
lass, a veritable haymaker. Think of their brother 
becoming infatuated with a milk-maid, an unsophis- 
ticated child of nature — a real Eve in her fragrant 
Eden — a veritable goddess whom the ancient Greeks 
would have painted or chiseled and sung. Well, 
well, how captivated I am ! But I’m not ashamed of 
my taste. That girl is undoubtedly a real prize. 
She is a unique beauty — not only in face and figure, 
but in genuine sweetness of manner and childlike 
innocence. Would that she were our equal in the 
eyes of society! But why not? Why couldn’t she 
become so? Such an ingenuous character could 
easily be molded into any good shape; and as for 
beauty, she is simply a nonpareil. A little training 
in the ways of polite society, a little additional learn- 
ing in art and literature, and she would grace any 
social circle. And yet,” he reflected with a frown, 
“would society even then receive her? Money and 
other considerations would debar her and probably 
ostracise the man who would dare to introduce her.” 

With this disturbing thought in mind, the Judge 
hastily completed his toilet and answered the sum- 
mons to the dinner-table. 


THE MARSHALL FAMILY 


25 


'^Well, brother, where hast thou gleaned to-day?’’ 
asked Alice Marshall, while the family awaited the 
soup. '‘I suppose that is a pertinent question, as 
Naomi asked it of Ruth during harvest time. You 
have been rusticating again on horseback. What 
have you gathered ? Ruth gleaned barley, and 
incidentally a husband. Maybe our bachelor brother 
has in like manner been taken in !” And with a 
mischievous nod, Alice glanced across the table to 
her sister Bess for approval. 

It was not long in coming, for Bess enjoyed with 
equal zest these playful attacks upon their only 
brother. 

‘'I venture to say, Alice,” she replied, ‘‘that he 
rode out into the country looking for some rustic 
lassie, fresh and green, for he thinks all the city 
belles are affected and blase.” 

“Now, Bess,” reproved her mother, “don’t be so 
hard on your brother. He has profound respect for 
all ladies. Wh^n he remarked, the other day, that 
some society girls were more like weary butterflies 
than busy bees, he told the simple truth. But George 
has a chivalric spirit and admires all genuine women, 
whether bred in city or country, in high society or 
humble cottage.” 

“Good, mother,” said the Judge, “I knew I could 
rely on you as an ally. Now we stand two to two; 


26 


MAUD MULLERS MINISTRY 


fire away girls, I am no longer afraid of your 
onslaughts/’ 

‘‘Come on then, Bess, to the fray,” was Alice’s 
prompt rejoinder. “Now, I repeat it, sir; you have 
been hunting with Cupid. Tell us : what and whom 
you have seen. Your guilty look betrays you.” 

“I may as well plead guilty,” answered the Judge 
with mock humility. 

“And then,” continued Alice, “your fellow-hunter 
shot you with his little arrow.” 

“Wonderful conjecture by the prosecution,” 
laughed the Judge. 

“And moreover,” joined in sister Bess, “the little 
arrow-head was dipped in delicious buttermilk — ” 

“Why not say ‘crystal spring water’ in contrast to 
our pestiferous city water?” suggested her brother. 

“All right, I stand corrected,” answered the un- 
suspecting sister. “The arrow was dipped in clear 
spring water and shot as straight as a rake-handle” 
(the Judge winced) “into George Marshall’s heart.” 

Alice clapped her hands in delighted approval, 
while their mother said with a quiet smile, “Oh, 
girls, hush that nonsense.” 

“Let them go on, mother; it is entertaining,” 
urged the Judge. “What next?” 

“That,” answered Alice, “is for you to confess. 
Now tell us all about it.” 


THE MARSHALL FAMILY 


27 


‘‘Well, girls. I have told you sufficient,” said the 
Judge. “Have pleaded guilty to Cupid’s arrow, 
dipped in spring water, shot at me straight as a rake- 
handle and struck right in the fatal spot. After 
sentence is pronounced upon my guilt, I wish to 
accuse my two sisters of being witches.” 

“Oh, then,” laughed Alice innocently, “we have 
guessed everything except the name, place, time, 
and a few other minor details. How happy I am in 
anticipation of having a country sister-in-law, who 
shall teach me how to make butter, cheese and 
sausage !” 

“Look here, boy,” said the elder sister, growing 
serious, “if there were a shadow of probability in 
any such prospect; if I thought my brother — a 
Marshall, too — would wed a green country girl, 
howsoever beautiful, I would disown him.” 

After dinner the Judge withdrew to his ‘den/ 
while the ladies were busy receiving some evening 
callers. 

Fortunately for him, he was left undisturbed. He 
wished quiet that he might muse over his day’s 
experience. He laughed to himself as he recalled 
his sisters’ innocent guesses. Then a cloud passed 
over his brow at the thought of his elder sister’s 
warning: “I would disown you if you married a 
green country girl.” 


28 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


Did she mean it? Well, she had no right to take 
such an arbitrary stand. And she wouldn’t, if she 
once became acquainted with that girl and learned 
to appreciate her character and capabilities. And 
‘society?’ Ay, there’s the rub! “Well,” he con- 
tinued his musings, “I wouldn’t rashly antagonize 
society, but if it came to a clear-cut choice between 
an ideal girl whom I loved and all the gilded society 
in America, I would unhesitatingly choose her and 
have a new world of love made to order.” With 
this resolute thought the Judge settled down in an 
easy chair to read The Evening News, 

The paper was full of society happenings, poli- 
tics, rumors of war, the usual quota of murders and 
suicides and other crimes ; strikes and boycotts ; and 
all the vile fruits of pauperism. 

To the Judge’s mind, just elevated to the heights 
of an ideal dream of love, this catalogue of evils was 
a dose of noxious poisons. Every now and then his 
brow contracted into a frown at some harrowing 
news, then a sweet face at a spring loomed up before 
him and he seemed momentarily carried to Elysium. 
“Why is not all the world so innocent and sweet and 
God-like?” he asked himself. 

“God made Eden and innocence and marital hap- 
piness; man has marred God’s work, destroyed the 
beauties of nature and instead built crowded cities 


THE MARSHALL FAMILY 


29 


with their noisy machinery and noisier strife and 
injustice. Would that our social life could be re- 
stored according to the Divine pattern, and our 
cities beautified with nature everywhere; but espe- 
cially, built upon a basis of social brotherhood and 
equal rights ! The farmer co-operates directly with 
his Creator in raising crops; what obstacle hinders 
city folks from a like co-operation in their work?’’ 
And the Judge laid down the paper with an air of 
impatience. ‘T can’t read tonight with any satisfac- 
tion. I want to think. I feel a sense of restfulness 
and peace when I reflect upon the possibility of all 
women becoming as sweet and innocent as that 
hazel-eyed girl; and of society being molded upon 
the pattern of farm-life, as simple in form as it is 
co-operative in action.” 

With this bright reverie of hope the Judge retired 
to a restful slumber — yet not dreamless, for Maud 
Muller’s charms insisted upon displaying themselves 
in so many scenes of beauty that the Judge finally 
found himself bending before an enthroned queen. 

This might have continued indefinitely, had not 
the sharp rap of the footman awakened the Judge 
to another day of work in court : 

^With doubtful balance of rights and wrongs. 
And weary lawyers with endless tongues.” 


CHAPTER III 


Cupid’s progress 

‘^Another day of hard work deserves another ride,” 
said the Judge to himself as he proceeded to ’phone 
for his horse, late in the afternoon. He was soon 
in the saddle and congratulated himself upon owning 
such an intelligent animal, for he seemed to guess 
his rider’s purpose and started in exactly the same 
direction as yesterday. The Judge was still reluc- 
tant to admit to himself that he intended to take that 
course, but rather credited his horse with knowing 
his master’s inclination. At any rate he said, 
‘'Chestnut, go as you please, old fellow; I will 
indulge you to-day, for your continued faithful- 
ness.” 

Following the line of least resistance, man and 
horse went loping along feeling as a centaur in their 
one-mindedness ; at least, so felt the Judge. 

He was soon in sight of Mr. Muller’s orchard 
looming up on the distant hills. What new beauty 
seemed to hover about those trees ! Indeed, no one 
but the blind could fail to admire it. 

But the Judge, perhaps, saw much more than 
those most appreciative of Nature’s beauties. 


CUPID^S PROGRESS 


31 


He wondered, as he neared the enchanted ground, 
whether Maud were nearby. He approached the 
spring; thought he felt thirsty. No one was in sight. 
Should he dismount and help himself ? That 
seemed too prosaic; yet there was nothing else to 
do. He found a gourd lying on the side of the 
spring and proceeded to dip, when suddenly he 
heard a distant sound of singing. 

Instantly he straightened to listen. The song 
came nearer — a clear, rich soprano letting out itself 
with all the freedom of a bird in the woods — totally 
unconscious of an audience. What carrying quali- 
ties that voice possessed ! All nature seemed hushed 
— to listen and to learn, as if Chibiabos had re- 
appeared. 

The words rang out sweetly and clearly : 

^'Every lassie has her laddie. 

None they say have I ; 

But all the lads, they smile at me. 

When coming through the rye.'’ 

The listener hoped the second line were actually 
true ; he knew the last two must be. 

Yet he felt a lover’s fear lest some country 
'laddie’ had already seen and won the grace and 
beauty which had so lately captivated him. 


32 


MAUD MULLER’S MINISTRY 


Maud was approaching rapidly, and the Judge 
began to prepare for a dignified explanation of his 
presence. 

She had now seen and recognized ‘‘Chestnut’^ 
and her first impulse was to escape, being in her 
dishabille. But could she flee unobserved? She 
hesitated. So did the Judge. But his hesitation was 
only momentary; for, being a man of action, he 
determined to advance before she could escape. 

‘‘Good afternoon, miss,” he said, as he tipped his 
cap and advanced. 

Maud blushed deeply. Her confusion was in no 
wise lessened by the sight of rich Judge Marshall 
showing her so much deference. Being still beyond 
conversational distance she could only return his 
salutation with a bow, and wait. 

“What does he want? I wonder if mamma sees 
him. Where is papa? Do any of the hands see us?”' 
All these thoughts flashed like lightning through her 
mind, as the Judge advanced. 

“Good afternoon, miss,” he repeated. “I was 
again tasting your delicious spring water; it is so 
pure and cold. How I wish I could have it every 
day!” 

“Oh, sir,” she replied, “let me run and get you a 
glass. That old gourd isn’t fit for you.” 


CUPID^S PROGRESS 


33 


^^Why not he asked. like to play sometimes 
that I am a country boy. It tastes better in that old- 
fashioned way than in cut glass. You ought to be 
supremely happy to live in such a lovely place with 
pure water, air, and health-giving elements every- 
where.’’ 

'^Yes, sir, I have often heard papa say that many 
a city chap — gentleman, I mean — yearns for the 
country, while our young folks hanker after the 
city.” 

'‘You don’t hanker after the city, do you ?” asked 
the Judge ingenuously. 

Maud colored. "I — I — think sometimes of the 
comforts and conveniences of town, of the pleasures 
of the people, especially the 'big-bugs’ — the rich, I 
mean,” she stammered. "Whenever I have been to 
town and seen the fine homes and splendid carriages 
and beautifully dressed ladies, I have, I must con- 
fess, envied them.” 

"My dear child,” replied the Judge philosophi- 
cally, "all is not gold that glitters ; there is far more 
happiness in your plain home than in many a city 
mansion. Would you exchange your free and 
healthy living for the average city girl’s supposed 
happiness ?” 

Maud demurred. Her conviction of city joys had 
been very deep, but the Judge’s positive tones gave 


34 


MAUD MULLER’S MINISTRY 


her opinion a considerable shock. ‘‘Perhaps,’’ she 
faltered, “I am a foolish country girl, but I have 
always considered the city girls supremely happy.” 

“Well, my dear” — Maud’s quick blush was in- 
stantly communicated to the Judge’s face, as it 
revealed the term he had unconsciously employed — 
“Pardon me, miss,” was his hurried apology. “I 
was thinking of you as a mere child uninitiated into 
the world’s ways — ” 

“Maud, ah, Maud!” called a voice from the 
house. 

“Ma’am?” answered Maud, still hidden from her 
mother by intervening foliage. 

“What are you doing, Maud ?” came the mother’s 
voice again. 

“I’m — .” The Judge couldn’t help enjoying 
poor Maud’s confusion. “Tell your mother you are 
coming at once,” he advised. Maud obeyed mechan- 
ically; then hesitated as to the proper way to take 
leave. 

The Judge promptly read her thoughts and re- 
solved upon bold measures. Indeed, he felt his 
dignity would be compromised, if he didn’t proceed 
straight to the house and explain the situation. 

“Miss Maud — I believe that is your name — allow 
me to accompany you to the house. I wish to see 
your mother or father for a moment.” Maud’s con- 


CUPID’S PROGRESS 


35 


fusion was intensified. This approach of Judge 
Marshall to her house seemed like a king invading 
a cottage. 

^^Oh, sir/' she answered in frightened tones, 
mother isn't prepared to see you. She is hard at 
work in her old dress, and — and — we were not 
expecting to see you at our house." 

^^No, I suppose not," laughed the Judge, his 
admiration all the while increasing at the girl's 
naivete. ^^But you must know that I feel embar- 
rassed at having talked with you without your 
parents' permission, or at least some proper intro- 
duction. Strangers may with all due propriety meet 
at a spring and exchange a few general remarks, as 
I did yesterday, but to-day I am found dismounted 
and standing conversing with you. It is purely acci- 
dental — I mean, at least, this present situation — ^but 
it demands an explanation." 

'^Oh, sir," said Maud, in extenuating tones, ‘^ou 
have done no harm." The Judge's ill-concealed 
pleasure at this remark startled Maud. ‘T mean you 
accidentally met me, and owe us no apology." 

'‘But you will let me explain all to your mother, 
will you not ?" 

"Certainly, sir, if you insist," said the girl simply. 


36 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


Just then Mrs. Muller appeared at the door and 
was evidently about to call out again, when suddenly 
she disappeared like a flash. 

"‘That was my mother/’ laughed Maud, “and you 
scared her in.” The Judge laughed too. 

They approached the house, Maud leading around 
to the front door and into the parlor. Having 
seated the Judge, she repaired to the kitchen. A 
hurried whispering — then some one ran up stairs, 
while the Judge waited, guessing at the next scene 
in the novel drama. Maud soon reappeared from 
the kitchen, whence she had snatched a clean apron. 
The two were again face to face in the cool parlor. 
“Mamma insisted on changing her wrapper,” she 
explained, “and made me come in at once in my 
untidy dress — ” 

“No apologies now from the other side,” laughed 
the Judge, “we are "quits’ at that.” 

The conversation continued in a general way, 
some references by the Judge to certain fancy work 
in the room, helping to set Maud at ease. 

Soon her mother appeared, attired in a plain but 
tastefully-made gown. 

“Mamma,” said Maud, rising, “this is Judge 
Marshall. He—” 

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Muller, I am very happy 
to meet you.” 


CUPID’S PROGRESS 


37 


‘‘I am delighted to make your acquaintance, 
Judge,'’ answered Mrs. Muller with a dignified bow. 

A moment's pause — and then the Judge turned 
and said, '‘Miss Muller, I beg your pardon, you 
were about to make some remark." 

"Was I? Oh, I was going to tell mamma how 
much you enjoyed our spring water." The Judge 
colored. 

"Yes, madam, I confess I love the country, its 
freedom, freshness and natural beauties. I love 
everything in Nature's domain; it affords such a 
relief from the noise and turmoil of city life. I rode 
out yesterday and your daughter graciously granted 
my request for a drink from your spring. This 
afternoon I came again and took the liberty of help- 
ing myself. When Miss Maud happened along, she 
kindly offered to get me a glass. Just then, in the 
midst of our talk, you called her ; then I insisted on 
accompanying her to the house to explain the 
situation." 

"Oh, that explains all," laughed Mrs. Muller; "I 
thought Maud unusually long in answering me." 

Intermittent blushes were threatening to become 
chronic with poor Maud, but the Judge with his 
characteristic tact came to her relief. 

"I confess I was amused at Miss Maud's expense 
when you called, 'Maud, what are you doing?' It 


38 


MAUD MULLER’S MINISTRY 


was hard to frame an accurate answer under the 
circumstances/' Then all laughed together and felt 
more at ease. 

‘‘Mrs. Muller," continued the Judge, whose voca- 
tion had trained him to reach a verdict as directly 
as possible, “I have a suggestion to offer. Your 
daughter, with a natural and commendable ambition, 
would like to see more of the city. I presume she 
seldom goes in, except upon some hurried errand; 
but, as she is doubtless of an appreciative disposition, 
I would be glad, with her parents' consent, to drive 
out and take her in to see the sights." 

Maud's heart leaped, and her childlike delight 
was scarcely controlled by her womanly dignity. 
The Judge's quick eye observed this with much 
gratification, and he continued — 

“It will give me great pleasure to come some 
afternoon in the near future and take her to the 
various places of interest." 

Mrs. Muller could hardly believe her own ears. 
“I will ask her father," she managed to say. “Oh, 
here he comes now." 

Mr. Muller was approaching the house, and hear- 
ing voices in the parlor, he supposed some familiar 
friends had dropped in. With his accustomed 
frankness, he was about to accost them in jolly 


CUPID’S PROGRESS 


39 


manner, when he caught sight of the Judge. It was 
too late to escape. 

''Come in, Mr. Muller,” said his wife. "Here is 
Judge Marshall.” 

All attempts at apology for rough clothes being 
waived by the Judge, the account of the meeting 
was again related, and the request for the drive 
repeated. 

Like his wife, Farmer Muller was dumbfounded. 
But he turned to Maud to gain time and composure, 
saying, "Well, daughter, do you want to take the 
drive?” 

"Beg pardon. Miss Maud,” promptly spoke the 
Judge, "I meant to ask you to allow me the pleasure 
and honor of taking you, as soon as your parents 
gave consent.” 

"Well, sir,” answered Maud with gentle dignity, 
"I shall have to think a little about it. It is ex- 
tremely kind of you to offer me this great pleasure, 
but the offer has come so unexpectedly I really 
haven’t had time to consider.” 

The Judge was both disappointed and pleased. 
Mr. and Mrs. Muller, however, were puzzled. They 
received the offer as made to a child; any other idea 
was incredible. But Maud had answered it as a 


woman. 


40 


MAUD MULLERS MINISTRY 


As for the Judge, he claimed (to himself) a vic- 
tory, and soon bade a pleasant good evening. 

A few days later, he drove out in his buggy. Tying 
his horse at her rack gave him a new and pleasura- 
ble sensation. Still, he experienced the pang of 
uncertainty. 

Her mother opened the door and received him 
into the parlor. Upon his asking for Miss Maud, 
she was called from the poultry-yard. 

“Pardon me. Miss Maud,’’ he accosted her, before 
she could slip around the house corner, “I drove out 
this afternoon with the hope of taking you to the 
city. It is an excellent day for a drive after yester- 
day’s shower. Will you go?” 

“I will ask mamma.” 

In a few minutes she returned, and a quick 
thought of playfulness relieved the tension of feel- 
ing in both of them as she said : 

“Will you take me as I am ?” 

“Certainly,” he answered promptly, “Come 
along.” 

With a responsive laugh, she excused herself and 
ran nimbly up-stairs. 

The Judge sat, speculating. “I wonder how she 
will dress; I have sufficient confidence, at any rate, 
in this family’s good taste, and especially in hers.” 
Yet he was not without some little misgiving lest 


CUPID’S PROGRESS 


41 


she might possibly don something which high so- 
ciety could criticise. 

He was not kept long in suspense, for Maud acted 
in all things with neatness and dispatch. Good 
health and proper training insure such results. She 
came down stairs and stood before him — the embodi- 
ment of most excellent taste and natural loveliness; 
money, he thought, could have added nothing to her 
charms. 

They were soon driving briskly down the pike, 
enjoying the cool breezes which fanned their faces. 
Their respective sensations, however, can be better 
imagined than described. 

Nature’s rustic beauty was soon exchanged for 
the city’s panorama of fine architecture and cultiva- 
ted gardens. There he showed her various places of 
public interest and many private residences of the 
wealthy. She was delighted with everything; he, 
with her appreciative and discriminating comments. 

It is needless to say that these drives were repeated 
as often as the Judge felt it proper to ask; or rather, 
not quite so often, for, on several occasions, she had 
excuses and would not go. Then he would suffer a 
lover’s chagrin, driving alone to the city, but con- 
soling himself with the reflection that her modesty 
was largely the cause of his disappointment. 


CHAPTER IV 


THE INEVITABLE 

Society now had its curiosity aroused. '‘Who is 
this pretty girl that Judge Marshall is driving 
about ?” 

The question was whispered from one to another, 
until finally some one made bold, in polite terms, to 
ask the Judge himself. 

His answer was direct and unreserved. "She is 
Miss Aland Muller, whose father owns and works a 
farm five miles out on the Franklin Road.’’ 

"Then she is an ordinary farm girl, whose 'face 
is her fortune.’ ” Society now began to look askance 
at the Judge. 

His sisters wouldn’t believe there was anything 
serious in the affair. They, of course, had met her, 
and "admired her in her place.” Indeed they could 
not have done otherwise and been human. But they 
credited their generous brother with supreme kind- 
ness in giving this appreciative country girl an occa- 
sional drive for sight-seeing. 

The Judge, with masterly skill, followed up every 
advantage. He asked Mr. Muller’s consent to see 
his daughter regularly. The good farmer, after re- 


THE INEVITABLE 


43 


covering his breath, told the Judge his great respect 
for him couldn’t frame a ^no.’ The Judge, on his 
part, gallantly disclaimed any worthiness for the 
privilege. 

The seasons rolled by, full of happiness for both, 
but surprises for their friends. The great contrast in 
the respective social positions of this couple made 
their unmistakable attachment seem more like fic- 
tion than fact. 

But the principals in this affair soon lost their 
feeling of disparity or incongruity; for, in tastes, 
aspirations and attitude toward all things, they were 
most congenial. 

The Judge felt that the time to speak for the great 
desire of his heart was ripening. 

One beautiful spring evening fortune seemed 
favorable. As they started out driving, the horse 
stopped to drink at the spring-brook — ^that place of 
especial enchantment for the Judge. 

“Ah! Chestnut also loves this water,” said his 
master. 

“Who doesn’t ?” asked Maud simply. 

“It was here we first met.” 

“Yes.” 

“And on the next day I asked you to drive.” 

“Yes.” 


44 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY, 


‘'Do you remember the adjective I addressed to 
you?’’ 

The peaches on Maud’s cheek took on a deeper 
pink. "You called me a dear child/' she answered 
in a tone of affected reproach. 

"And you thought yourself more than a child, 
didn’t you?” 

"Why, of course, I was three years older than 
the proverbial ‘sweet sixteen.’ ” 

"Then you are now twenty, if my addition is cor- 
rect.” 

"Your arithmetic is not to be credited so much as 
your curiosity, for I once caught you reading my 
birthday entry in our Family Bible.” 

"Well, forgive me, I simply wanted to find out 
the day, not the year. But come, I do not propose 
to discuss such a prosaic subject as ages.” 

"Well, then drive on,” urged Maud, with a show 
of impatience; "your horse has had more than 
enough water.” 

"Let’s rest a moment in this shade.” 

At this unusual suggestion Maud looked the 
Judge full in the face and made him color. An awk- 
ward pause was threatening, but the Judge quickly 
recovered himself and said : "We were discussing 
addition were we not? Next comes subtraction. 
Words can be subtracted as well as numbers. In the 


THE INEVITABLE 


45 


expression under consideration, which you pretend 
to dislike — ‘My dear child’ — I will cheerfully sub- 
tract the objectionable word and call you simply 
‘My dear.’ ” 

Maud’s lashes fell and she winced. 

“Drive on,” she pleaded again as she playfully 
grabbed the rein. “That cloud in the west looks 
threatening. We shall be caught yet in a storm if 
we do not hurry. I never knew you so unwilling to 
drive with me.” 

“Come, my dear,” said the Judge most earnestly, 
“storms do not figure now.” 

Maud started again. Then fixed her eyes down 
upon the embroidery of the lap-cover. 

“Dear Maud,” he continued deliberately but with 
quavering voice, “you cannot fail to have observed 
my extreme pleasure at being in your presence when- 
ever possible. You cannot fail to have read my 
most sincere esteem in the gifts which you were 
good enough to accept, unworthy as they were. 
And now, my dear Maud, I beg to confess with my 
mouth what my actions have told you all along — 
that you are the chief object of my heart.” 

The Judge paused, but Maud’s attitude was un- 
changed. 

“This is a case,” continued the Judge, in the tone 
of charging a jury, “a case of love at first sight. 


46 


MAUD MULLER’S MINISTRY 


But it has been thoroughly tested and now, upon 
your answer — a simple ‘yes’ — my lifelong happiness 
is hanging. Tell me, dear girl, that my love is fully 
reciprocated.” 

Maud’s face was now half-hidden by her hat rim, 
as she gazed fixedly upon the lap-cover. At length, 
when the silence was becoming awkward, she 
raised her eyes resolutely to speak, but felt her voice 
falter. Provoked at her own emotions, she knew not 
how to do. She would not disclose her heart now. A 
little time for reflection she considered wise. “Par- 
don me. Judge,” she finally forced her tongue to 
say. “I feel complimented, by what you have said, 
but—” 

“But one word will express all,” he pleaded, “a 
sweet and definite ‘yes.’ ” 

“No — I cannot say so,” she replied. 

“Well, only give me the assurance that my love 
is at least partially reciprocated, dear.” 

“Why, that would be a complete surrender,” and 
she laughed in spite of her agitation. 

(At this point the curtain falls, for Maud posi- 
tively refused to confide any more to her biographer. 
But she admitted closing the scene somewhat after 
this fashion — .) 

“Drive on now — we are lovers — ^but nothing 


more. 


THE INEVITABLE 


47 


‘'But we shall drive on indeed to the consumma- 
tion of perfect happiness/’ he insisted. 

And they drove on, but it is needless to say they 
saw nothing but — each other. 

Within a reasonable time, the Judge had gained 
her full promise, and in consequence, despite his 
reputed self-possession, could scarcely restrain his 
joy. His decisions in court leaned more than ever 
toward mercy. Wherever he turned, the world was 
aglow with the halo of beauty and love. He was 
destined, as he told himself, to be the happiest man 
in the world. 

In a quiet little country church, the nuptial cere- 
mony was performed. City and country were both 
well represented, taxing the capacity of the sacred 
edifice and filling the spacious lawn outside. The 
beautiful October weather filled the scene with a 
natural loveliness, as the congregation, inside and 
out, listened as one to the impressive service. 

A trip to Niagara rounded out the honeymoon; 
after which they settled down in his luxurious man- 


sion. 


CHAPTER V 


THORNS 

Life is not all one bed of roses; or, if it is, the 
thorns are bound sometimes to assert themselves. 

This fact was soon forced upon the newly-wed. 
Though surrounded by every reasonable luxury, the 
bride quickly felt the ill-concealed displeasure of her 
sisters-in-law. They had contemplated a brilliant 
‘catch’ for their brother, to add to their already 
large fortune ; instead, he had married a plain 
country girl with practically no dowry. Their 
chagrin and mortification were restrained only by 
the great love they bore him. 

Maud knew their attitude perfectly : she was deep- 
ly wounded by it, and yet had the grace to over- 
look and forgive. She had been taught always to 
place herself by imagination in the position of the 
other party to a controversy and to apply the Golden 
Rule. Now, outside of her childhood’s home, she 
had this heroic lesson to practice. 

In her magnanimity, therefore, she determined 
to show the disappointed sisters every kindness ; and 
to make up to them in the wealth of love what she 
lacked in the wealth of gold. 


THORNS 


49 


But the god of gold is an implacable tyrant. Be- 
hind his shining countenance he hides a heart of 
stone. 

His unrelenting harshness was soon in evidence. 

One morning, as they all sat down to breakfast, 
Bessie opened the conversation with a thrust. 

“Well, brother, you didn’t look very happy last 
night at the Fitzgeralds’.” 

“Didn’t I?” asked the Judge in surprise. 

“No,” was the answer. “Several times a look of 
keen displeasure clouded your brow. What ailed 
you?” 

“Oh, I remember, sister. I was hurt by a re- 
mark of Agnes Bitterson. She is not always con- 
siderate in her speeches, and last night flung at me a 
cruel dart which cut to the quick. Had it been a per- 
sonal reflection upon myself alone, I could have 
treated it with indifference. But it was a fling at 
Maud : it insinuated that she was unacquainted with 
the ways of polite society. Maud overheard it all, 
and so I can speak unreservedly in her presence.” 

Maud said nothing to the glances now directed at 
her ; she calmly awaited developments. 

“Well,” continued Bess, “it is certainly embar- 
rassing to be continually shielding the uninitiated. 
Maud, I admit, is a sweet sister to me, but saying 


so 


MAUD MULLERS MINISTRY 


this, I have said all. She has not been trained for 
society and her ‘breaks’ are mortifying.” 

“There you are mistaken, sister,” retorted the 
brother, with rising indignation. “My wife is not 
only a jewel in this home, but she is peer to any lady 
in society. She may occasionally betray a lack of 
knowledge in some of the finer touches of surface 
etiquette, but her tact of¥sets that. She is no more 
to be condemned for ignorance in these non-essen- 
tials than an American visiting London who should 
attempt to drive to the right instead of the left. Dif- 
ferences of custom are mere externals which do not 
affect character. Maud has learned considerable 
since I first met her, while her innate refinement 
makes her the equal of any woman.” 

“There now,” declared Alice, playfully, “the de- 
cision is rendered and Miss Bess Marshall is 
silenced.” 

“Yes,” said the elder sister, petulantly, “con- 
demned in the righteous cause of upholding the 
name of Marshall. A stranger from the country is 
preferred to me by my only brother who once vowed 
that no woman could ever step between him and his 
family.” And Bessie’s eyes filled with tears of vex- 
ation. 

“Come, children,” said Mrs. Marshall with a 
grieved look, “this is no fit conversation for the 


THORNS 


51 


breakfast table.” Then, seeing the tears welling up 
in Maud’s eyes also, she continued “Maud dear, and 
Bessie, too, you are both sisters and my children. 
Let no foolish feeling arise between you.” 

“Mother,” sobbed Maud, “I have tried to be a 
true sister, but unfortunately, Bessie has placed an 
almost impassable barrier between us. It is hard to 
be criticised at every turn, and to be faulted when- 
ever I return from a reception or other social func- 
tion. A learner wants encouragement, not fault- 
finding, and I expected better treatment from my 
new sisters.” 

The appeal touched Alice, and she answered cor- 
dially, “Oh, certainly, Maud, your forgiving spirit 
is more valuable than all the surface polish of so- 
ciety. I esteem your love of infinitely greater worth 
than all the vain notions of the elite.” 

It was too evident, however, that Bessie voiced 
the sentiment of their social set, in ostracizing 
Maud. Although due credit was given the young 
bride for genuineness of character and nobleness of 
heart, society could not forget that she was farm- 
bred, without dowry, and presumably without pedi- 
gree. 

The Judge chafed under this treatment. He re- 
sented it as a reflection upon his own judgment, as 
well as an insult to his noble wife. He would have 


52 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


taken a firm stand and bravely lived down this in- 
justice, — yea, this rudeness, — ^by eventually proving 
his wife’s superiority in the very midst of her crit- 
ics ; but his mother advised otherwise. She felt the 
ordeal to be too much for so sensitive and high-spir- 
ited a girl as Maud. Therefore she recommended 
a temporary removal to another city. 

It was an awful sacrifice for the mother and sis- 
ters to surrender their only son and brother, even 
for a season, but results, they felt, would soon com- 
pensate their loss. 

And so it was determined. The Judge resigned 
from the bench which he had so honorably filled; 
many and strong were the protests of his profes- 
sional friends, but decision once made, he was reso- 
lute. 

The bride and groom, therefore, removed to B — , 
where he proceeded to practice law. 


CHAPTER VI 


THE NEW HOME 

For a while they made but few acquaintances 
excepting their nearest neighbors. In his profes- 
sional circle, however, the Judge was soon recog- 
nized as an attorney of exceptional ability, and 
quickly rose to prominence. He and his wife were 
accordingly received into the most honorable society, 
not the “Four-hundred,’’ but the circle of his pro- 
fessional business friends — those who, while com- 
fortably rich, estimate men for their good rather 
than their gold. 

Maud felt freer now, having no critical eyes 
scrutinizing her every action, and developed more 
and more those womanly charms which first attract- 
ed the Judge. The fact that she was a poor farmer’s 
daughter was neither obstruded nor hidden by her. 
She was judged among her associates by her intrin- 
sic worth, and accepted as a woman of most attrac- 
tive manners and charming personality. 

One day she and the Judge were comparing the 
differences between the new associates and the old. 

“Why,” she asked, “are the Four-hundred so 
exclusive?” 


54 


MAUD MULLER’S MINISTRY 


‘‘Oh/' he replied, “they pretend to be of a differ- 
ent stock from the general run of people. They 
think themselves made of a finer fibre and do not 
like their dainty fingers to touch ordinary folk. 
They consider hard work a disgrace, and live idly 
on their capital, acquired often by plunder. Fortune 
with them is as important (poor animals!) as pedi- 
gree is in horses and dogs. The latter, however, im- 
prove while the human idlers degenerate. If they 
would only study their betterment, fortune would 
help, for both inheritance and environment contrib- 
ute to character-making. But their reliance upon 
fortune chiefly as the criterion of superiority leads 
them into that most detestible of idolatries — self- 
adoration." 

“Speaking of fortune," said Maud, “I regret to 
say that even our Church schools sometimes manifest 
a prejudice in its favor. They discriminate against 
the plain people, either by prohibitive tuition fees or 
by refusing to admit persons of no recognized social 
standing. 

“My father tried to get me into one, some four 
years ago, but they refused me admission. They 
claimed to be overcrowded, but it leaked out after- 
wards that the real ground of my rejection was our 
lack of money or social position. They profess to be 
working for a superior type of womanhood, and 


THE NEW HOME 


55 


considered a hay-raker, presumably, of too coarse 
a grain. 

^‘When my father was assured, beyond all ques- 
tion, that this was the cause of my rejection, he was 
thoroughly aroused. He wrote a most indignant, 
though respectful, letter to the trustees, denouncing 
such an attitude for the Church as inconsistent with 
the spirit of the Divine Carpenter of Nazareth. He 
showed them that, according to the Bible, every man 
stands upon his own life and character before God, 
and that fortune or family prestige is only of sec- 
ondary consideration. Then he claimed as honor- 
able a descent as any of those trustees and invited 
them to our house to see the family heirlooms. He 
would show them a family coat-of-arms equal to 
any of the average English nobility.” 

‘T never knew that before,” interrupted the Judge 
with mingled surprise and pleasure. ‘‘Then my lit- 
tle wife from the farm has a distinguished pedigree^^ 
too. Why didn't you tell me?” 

“Because,” she laughed, “I rather hated the idea 
of pedigree ever since my rejection from the Church 
school. Moreover, I prefer to glory in that superior 
pedigree recorded by St. Luke, and shared by all 
humanity — ‘which was the son of Adam, which was 
the son of God.' ” 


56 


MAUD MULLERS MINISTRY 


In her new home, Maud soon made her usefulness 
felt. She readily attached herself to the nearest 
church and threw her whole soul into its work, 
especially the efforts on lines of charity. 

In this employ, she quickly learned the feelings of 
the poor, their grinding poverty, their mutual sym- 
pathy and their distrustfulness of the rich. She felt 
also the bitterness of social conditions which per- 
mitted a country, overladen with the good things of 
life, to harbor so much pauperism and cruelty. 
Accustomed to the ^weet air and healthful environ- 
ment of country life, she was often made heartsick 
at the dark, crowded tenements where infants and 
aged people were virtually imprisoned, and even 
those of strong age were robbed of their vitality by 
the lack of good sanitation and food. 

‘These tenements,’’ she remarked at the table one 
day, “are veritable jails — yes, worse, for they breed 
crime, while the jails are supposed to reform the 
criminal. What can we expect of these poor 
creatures when their daily portion is bad food, bad 
language, and immoral surroundings. Give them 
purity of feeding for body, mind and soul, and they 
will be almost transfigured. They cannot all be 
cleansed in a day, but a decade or a generation 
would, under favorable conditions, make a new 


race. 


THE NEW HOME 


57 


''You are perfectly right, my dear,'' answered the 
Judge with enthusiasm. "There is much room for 
improvement in social conditions. A great gulf 
seems to yawn between the extreme classes of 
society; the upper 'Four-hundred' live idly on their 
money while the 'submerged tenth' exist in a condi- 
tion worse than beasts. Yet this country is boast- 
fully called 'The Land of Freedom.' " 

"How do you account, George, for this great dis- 
parity in men's conditions?" 

"The causes of this cruel inequality are various, 
Maud. It must be admitted that many are kept on 
the verge of starvation by drink and shiftlessness; 
while, on the other hand, comfort and luxury are 
attained in many cases by brilliancy of mind and 
untiring, application. Yet, the children of these two 
diverse classes inherit, often undeserved, the respec- 
tive conditions of their parents, and, to some extent, 
perpetuate them. In this way, some worthy folk are 
very poor, while worthless men may be rolling in 
wealth." 

"But can't these worthy poor rise by honest 
effort?" 

"Yes, sometimes. But it is a most pathetic fact 
that many who try to rise are beaten back by the 
greed of men who might easily help them. In the 
struggle for money, men are blind to their brothers' 


58 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


interests and frequently hinder rather than help each 
other. I have known men who thought to rise by 
accepting a tempting offer of increased wages from 
another firm, and then in a few weeks they were 
betrayed by their new employers and turned adrift. 
Isn't that enough to embitter men's lives ? 

“Conditions in the social world are badly in need 
of readjustment. Honesty is not uniformly at a 
premium. Conscience is sacrificed often to- expe- 
diency and the ‘Golden Rule' is repudiated as be- 
longing only to the skies. Yes, sad to say, men now 
boldly declare that you can't live the ‘Sermon on the 
Mount' and prosper — " 

“That is shameful," put in Maud, with rising 
indignation. “This Christian country disowning 
the laws of Christ !" 

“Yes, deception is often practiced and winked at. 
Misrepresentation of goods deceives customers into 
the belief that they are getting a bargain. The 
practical motto in commercial circles is ‘Look out 
for No. I ; let the other fellow do likewise.' " 

“What remedy is there for such a sad state of 
affairs?" asked Maud, earnestly. “Can't the 
churches purify the commercial world?" 

“They can, to a limited extent. As ‘the salt of the 
earth,' Christians are keeping society from utter 
decay. But sometimes decay goes too far for even 


THE NEW HOME 


59 


salt to arrest. Then the carcass must be entirely 
removed. Such a carcass is this Competitive System, 
which thoughtful men are beginning to regard as 
essentially vicious and demoralizing. As a substi- 
tute a ‘Co-operative Commonwealth’ is proposed, 
wherein every citizen is to work for the general 
good, instead of ‘every fellow for himself’ — which 
motto, as a recent writer facetiously but aptly de- 
clared, is borrowed from the hog-pen.” 

“That co-operative idea sounds splendid. Why 
hasn’t it been adopted long ago ?” 

“It is being tried in some small countries like 
Switzerland and New Zealand with marked success. 
But the larger countries lumber along slowly and 
painfully. They have had other great problems to 
settle. Now, that modern inventions have brought 
the human family so close together that we all touch 
shoulders, the logic of the situation is that we must 
work together — not apart. When men lived at 
great distances and travel was slow, competition 
helped perhaps more than it hindered. But now 
that we touch and jostle one another, we must take 
hold of hands for mutual protection and the general 
good. Otherwise, society will collapse in inter- 
necine warfare, as the crowded army of the Midian- 
ites which opposed Gideon.” 


60 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


“The subject is a most interesting one, George. 
Why don't college professors, and other molders of 
public opinion, lecture on the subject and educate 
students and the general public up to this grand 
ideal?" 

“They might. But it takes time to persuade such 
men to leave their routine duties and teach some- 
thing which appears novel. Besides, many are 
muzzled by the rich benefactors of these institutions. 
Capitalists, after all, are the most short-sighted, or 
else the most selfish, creatures on earth. They 
either fail to see that co-operation would mean a 
great gain for everybody, rich and poor, in the 
shifting of harrowing financial anxiety from their 
shoulders to the Government’s; or, if they do see it, 
they are not satisfied to share life’s blessings with 
all, for they wish to corner all the profits for them- 
selves.’’ 

“But come,’’ he added, as they arose from the 
table, “let us go into the library and I will introduce 
you to a book which will clear the whole matter for 
you and show the feasibility of universal co-opera- 
tion.’’ 

As they retired, the Judge took Maud’s arm in his 
and said, with an affectionate pressure of her hand : 
“We two represent an indissoluble union. Don’t 


THE NEW HOME 


61 


you think it possible for Capital and Labor to unite 
in a similar happy compact?” 

“I trust so,” answered Maud sweetly; and then 
roguishly added : “It was literally Capital and Labor 
which first met at my father’s spring.” 

“Oh, come now, you scamp ;” corrected the Judge, 
“there was some of each on both sides. At any rate. 
Capital, as usual, got the better of the bargain. 

“But here is the book to open the world’s eyes. 
It is not a brand new one, for it first appeared in 
1887. Strange to say, many well-informed folks 
have never read it. ‘Looking Backward’ is the title, 
and the late Edward Bellamy the author. The scene 
is laid in Boston and the time is the year 2000 A. D. 
But read it for yourself, Maud.” 

In a few days she had read the book through. 
Indeed she re-read and studied it closely between 
household duties, for it appealed strongly to her 
conscience. It sounded to her as the knell of oppres- 
sion and greed. It was like a New Year bell “ring- 
ing in the Christ life that is to be.” 

When the subject was resumed one evening, she 
said, “George, I have a suggestion to make. You 
know how admirers of Shakespeare, Browning or 
other standard poets form clubs for the purpose of 
studying their favorites. Now, why cannot we form 
a ‘Bellamy Club’ to study him ? His philosophy and 


62 


MAUD MULLERS MINISTRY 


his language place him among the classics. There 
is the ring of New Testament ideals in every chapter 
of 'Looking Backward.’ ” 

"Now, Maud,” laughed the Judge, "do you wish 
to be accused of being a Socialist?” 

"An investigator of the truth under any name has 
nothing to fear, and I will say this without hesita- 
tion, that in the present social unrest, Bellamy’s plan 
presents at least the semblance of an excellent prac- 
tical solution.” 

"Bravo!” cried the Judge. "My wife has made 
one of the most sagacious speeches that I have ever 
heard even from the most gifted statesmen. We will 
invite a few of our friends next Tuesday to the 
house, and discuss the advisability of forming a 
Bellamy Club.” 


CHAPTER VII 


A BELLAMY CLUB 

On the evening appointed, the Judge’s parlor 
presented an animated scene. A score of his most 
intimate friends had assembled by invitation, drawn 
both by the well-known hospitality of the Marshalls 
and the novel idea of studying Bellamy. 

After a few minutes of pleasant chatting the 
Judge, with his wonted promptness, got down to the 
purpose of the gathering. 

“Friends, we will not be at all formal,” he began, 
“but I wish to explain briefly the object of this 
meeting. We have invited you to come and discuss 
the advisability of forming a Bellamy Club for the 
study of ideal Socialism. Don’t be scared ! There 
was a time when that word suggested to many the 
wild ideas of disaflfected dreamers in Europe. That 
time is past. Socialism to-day is becoming more 
and more respected as it is better understood. To 
gain an intelligent view of the subject will be our 
purpose. Are you all willing to make a trial ?” 

The answers were various. Curiosity and the 
love of fun prompted some of the younger persons 
to give an immediate affirmative. A few thought 


64 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


the time would be wasted on the study of such a 
Utopian scheme. Another small proportion, includ- 
ing two law students, seriously wished to study the 
matter. 

At any rate, all finally agreed to make a trial of 
the proposal. The Judge was made President of 
the Club, by acclamation. He thereupon appointed 
for discussion at the next meeting, the first chapter 
of ‘‘Looking Backward.’’ 


CHAPTER VIII 


ANALYSIS OF BELLAMY'S SOCIALISM 

With lively anticipations the Club assembled for 
the study of Bellamy, but with diverse expectations. 
The younger folks awaited the discussion as eagerly 
as school-boys look forward to a game of baseball. 
They expected a good contest. Several of the elderly 
members felt that there would be no close contest at 
all, but rather looked for an easy overthrowing of 
this ^man of straw' — this Utopian Bellamy ! Others 
took the matter quite seriously, especially the law 
students, who, with the Judge and Maud, believed 
in the imperative need of a civic reformation. 

''Now," said the Judge in opening the meeting, 
"we are met to study Bellamy's first chapter, which 
all, presumably, have read. Allow me to ask first 
whether our author has given a true portrayal of 
present social conditions ?" 

After a moment's pause, several of the more 
thoughtful volunteered comments in succession, 
evincing a general agreement that Bellamy's esti- 
mate of the social situation is correct. His assertion 
that money is the chief factor in the rise and fall of 
men was pronounced incontrovertible ; while the 


66 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


fickleness of its possession is also a point well taken. 

But to this general view, one voice demurred. It 
was that of Doctor Owens, an eminent oculist. He 
contended that Bellamy’s picture was largely over- 
drawn. It was a clever piece of fiction, but could 
not be substantiated by the facts of our every-day 
life. The rise and fall of fortunes is only an incident 
in social life, an exception to the general rule of 
steady advancement for the worthy. The vast 
majority of men, he declared, get their deserts. 

Mr. Brierly, one of the law students, ventured to 
answer the doctor. ‘‘My observation,” he said in a 
tone of respectful non-concurrence, “is that the 
doctor’s roseate view is, unfortunately, not sup- 
ported by facts. I work with the Charity Organiza- 
tion Society and learn from the poor a great deal of 
the oppression, injustice and partiality practiced by 
the moneyed men. Moreover, the unrest among 
almost all laboring classes, the graft and corruption 
in high stations, the large army of the unemployed 
and the innumerable acts of petty injustice daily 
practiced in both wholesale and retail trade, all these 
facts refute the assertion that men generally get 
their deserts. The doctor is busied in his profes- 
sional duties from morning till night, enthusiasti- 
cally pursuing his calling and doubtless collecting 
the majority of his bills. Only the well-to-do come 


ANALYSIS OF BELLAMY’S SOCIALISM 67 


to him, for the very poor buy cheap glasses or at 
least rise no higher than free consultation with the 
optician. As we walk down the streets and see the 
stores busied in dispensing their goods, we imagine 
prosperity is everywhere, because the storekeepers 
'put their best foot forward’ to attract trade, but 
behind the scenes there is a great deal of anxiety 
and commercial envy.” 

“Well,” said the doctor with an air of kind indul- 
gence toward the young man, “men may suffer some 
anxiety in the race for supremacy, and sometimes 
even fail, but it is largely their own fault. Yet, even 
when beaten, they can try again, for life is full of 
resources. This law of struggle, — or as scientists 
call it, the ‘Survival of the Fittest,’ — sifts out the 
best men for responsible positions, and spurs the 
‘failures’ to renewed effort, thus developing char- 
acter all along the line.” 

“This is a plausible theory. Doctor,” rejoined the 
student, “but, like the Darwinian theory, it is only 
speculative. Darwin substituted for a personal 
Providence, a merciless process whereby myriads of 
beings must perish to produce one perfect creature. 
And now successful men invoke the same fierce 
method in justification of the present competitive 
system, wherein one man rises to fortune while a 
hundred live from hand to mouth. The man who 


68 


MAUD MULLER’S MINISTRY 


rushes to a gold field and becomes a millionaire is 
extravagantly admired, while the score or two who 
lose everything in the same attempt are quickly for- 
gotten. The commercial world to-day is but the 
Roman arena restored. The gladiators then fought 
for gore ; now, for gold. But in either case we see 
applause lavished upon the victors, while the van- 
quished are wantonly signalled to death.” 

‘^Do you mean to say,” interposed the oculist, 
^‘that all successful men have attained to high posi- 
tion by practicing injustice?” 

'‘Not all,” said Brierly. "Indeed the blame is 
chargeable largely to the system, which virtually 
places the foot of one man upon the necks of twenty. 
It is daily hardening many hearts while breaking 
others.” 

"Then you still insist that injustice is at the root 
of most success.” 

"Again I must qualify your way of expressing it, 
Doctor. I know and cheerfully grant you that there 
are plenty of successful men to-day who are, and 
always have been, most honorable and honest in 
business; but I must add the further assertion that 
the majority of over-rich men have risen to fortune 
by crooked means which the present system has 
fostered. This is not too severe an indictment. 
Bribery even has invaded the United States Senate, 


ANALYSIS OF BELLAMY'S SOCIALISM 69 


so that now the Nation’s interests are being sold into 
the hands of unscrupulous capitalists. Can you, 
Doctor, enjoy your well-earned prosperity, while the 
country and its helpless citizens are sold as in a 
slave market ?” 

'Well,” replied the doctor, relenting, "I mean to 
be perfectly fair ; and for the sake of permitting the 
discussion to proceed, I will withhold any further 
objections for the present.” 

Before adjournment, it was agreed to meet 
weekly. 

At the second meeting, the following conversation 
took place : 

"Granting, as we seemed to do last week,” said 
the Judge, "that Mr. Bellamy has fairly drawn the 
sketch of present conditions, we will proceed to con- 
sider his remedy. What solution does he suggest? 
Will some one now tell us by what process the author 
shows the marvelous change from Nineteenth Cen- 
tury unrest to Twentieth Century contentment and 
peace ?” 

Mr. Williams, law student, volunteered the an- 
swer, thus : "It was effected chiefly by a process of 
political evolution. By degrees, capital became more 
and more concentrated ; small stores were swallowed 
up by department stores; small factories were ab- 
sorbed by large combines ; trusts always won the vie- 


70 


MAUD MULLERS MINISTRY 


tory over their weaker competitors until, despite the 
protests of the victims of this relentless process, bus- 
iness was monopolized by the few. Yet the con- 
sumers, as such, did not suffer very seriously. On 
the contrary they realized that the great economy 
resulting from production and distributing on a 
grand scale somewhat mitigated the evils of 
Trustism. The logic of the whole situation was 
thus summed up in the popular mind: Let the 
Nation be the only Trust, and we shall derive all the 
benefits while avoiding all the evils. 

'Thus, with the Nation as the sole owner and 
employer, economy of administration reached its 
goal and all the abuses of Trustism vanished. 

"The reasonableness of this new 'Declaration of 
Independence’ by the people against Capitalism was 
analogous to that of 1776. As Bellamy puts it 
(p. 56) — for I have eagerly read ahead — 

" 'The people of the United States concluded to 
assume the conduct of their own business, just as 
one hundred odd years before they had assumed the 
conduct of their own government, organizing now 
for industrial purposes on precisely the same grounds 
that they had then organized for political purposes.’ 

"We might add that the Declaration of 1776 was 
attended by a bloody Revolution. This latter is 
represented as the flower of a peaceful Evolution.^* 


ANALYSIS OF BELLAMY’S SOCIALISM 71 


^'Very good, thank you, Mr. Williams,'’ said the 
Judge. ‘‘And now we will permit each one to 
express his or her views, individually." 

This was done in a pleasant and chatty way, all 
agreeing that a peaceful evolution blooming into 
Ideal Socialism, is a consummation most desirable 
and practicable. 

As a conclusion to the evening's pleasure Maud 
played and sang several solos, her inimitable voice, 
naturally rich, showing wonderful improvement by 
its recent course of training. 

Her ardent patriotism found expression on this 
occasion especially in the beautiful ode (written by 
John McDowell Leavitt) : 

OUR FLAG 

Wave, Flag of Beauty ! starred on High, 

Our Fathers gave thee to the sky 
Mid storm and night : 

Baptized with blood, in battle torn. 

If, oft thy folds were stained and worn, 

Yet on to triumph were they borne. 

And Freedom's light. 

Fly, Flag of Freedom! Where a spot 

In darkness did thy beauty blot 
/No stain we see. 

With thanks to Heaven our song we raise : 

All nations swell the voice of praise 1 

Each star gives splendor to the blaze 
Of Liberty. 


72 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


Float, Flag of Promise, o’er a world 

The pledge of Freedom wide unfurl’d 
On land and sea! 

Float on, forever gone thy stains ! 

Float on ’til Earth has burst her chains 1 

Float on while Heaven bends o’er our plains ! 
Thine Eagle free! 

Our Flag of Glory, fly no more 

Where mid mad battle’s thunder-roar 
We brothers slay! 

Glow love in souls where once glared ire ! 

Then never will a star expire 

Until the heavens in final fire 
Have passed away. 

(Used by permission.) 

Subsequent meetings developed new and deeper 
enthusiasm until a second club was formed and then 
a third, the new clubs being placed under the leader- 
ship of the law students. 

The interest in each club became more and more 
intensified as they studied the various aspects of 
Bellamy’s plan, such as : 

‘‘The Great Economy under Socialism.” 

“Freedom for Self-Culture.” 

“The Government Credit-Coupons.” 

“The Care of the Helpless.” 

“Benefits of Socialism to Rich and Poor Alike in 
the Elimination of All Financial Anxiety.” 

Dr. Owens, however, could not see the advantages 
as quickly as others saw them, and presented his 


ANALYSIS OF BELLAMY’S SOCIALISM 73 


objections one evening in this manner : ^‘Gentlemen, 
you are certainly growing enthusiastic over this pro- 
posed Socialism. But to me it appears largely 
theoretical and visionary. Let us test it by a con- 
crete case. Without the suspicion of egotism I can 
best use my own experience as an illustration. 

‘‘We will suppose now, that Socialism is univer- 
sally adopted. Money is no longer in use, but every 
citizen gets the same amount of credit tickets as 
salary — we will say equal to the purchasing power 
of $3,000. Now, with this amount, I must say, no 
professional man could do justice to his profession, 
his family or himself. Here are my family's annual 
expenses in round numbers : 


Table $2,000 

Clothing 800 

Lodges and Life Insurance 1,000 

Fire Insurance 100 

Church 700 

Children’s Education 500 

Library 400 

Professional Instruments foo 

Gifts 400 

Travelling Expenses 300 

Taxes 300 

Servants 1,000 

Stable 400 

Sundries 500 


$9,000 


74 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


Now, I like to save at least $i,ooo per year ‘for a 
rainy day' ; and you see I have allowed nothing for 
emergencies, repairs, etc. So, by close figuring I 
find I must have at least $10,000 per year to live 
comfortably, and to see my family properly cared 
for and educated. Socialism, however, would cut 
me down to $3,000. Is that fair after I have spent 
years of time and hundreds of dollars on my 
education ?" 

“My dear Doctor," answered a Dr. Phillips who 
had recently joined the club, “as a dentist I can 
readily sympathize with your objections. But first, 
we must not overlook the fact that every member of 
the family, under Bellamy's plan, receives a credit- 
book. Hence the larger the family the greater the 
support. 

“Now, while we will still have to retain, to some 
extent, the expenses of table, clothing, church, and 
personal sundries, all the others practically are 
eliminated. When the Gk)vernment owns all produc- 
ing and distributing facilities; educates every one, 
supports each and every citizen with a substantial 
credit-book, then all need of insurance vanishes ; all 
taxes are done away ; books and instruments and all 
other tools are provided without stint; and even 
household servants will be generally unnecessary, for 
with government cafes and improved systems of 


ANALYSIS OF BELLAMY’S SOCIALISM 75 


heating and cleaning, the work of a home will 
dwindle down to the mere ‘keeping the house in 
good order’; this will furnish just enough physical 
exercise for our wives and daughters, who will take 
a greater pride in tidying their own homes and (only 
when they wish) preparing their own meals.” 

‘‘You make no allowance,” still objected Dr. 
Owens, “for the care of children. Shall our wives 
have all this care of tending the children with their 
other home duties?” 

“This touches an important moral question,” 
answered Dr. Phillips, with increasing enthusiasm. 
“Who better can care for a child than its own 
mother? This is God’s way. But when men per- 
vert His way and society takes mothers away from 
home, leaving the little ones to irresponsible and 
often immoral nurses, who can estimate the risk to 
the young child’s character ? I want to see mothers 
acting as practical mothers, guarding their children 
as sacred trusts, and delighting to give them their 
first and best attention.” 

“Well,” answered Dr. Owens, “your proposed 
system seems clever enough, but I cannot swallow 
it all at once. I still feel that a man’s individuality 
and personal independence is lost when he is thus 
made a ward of the Government.” 


76 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


'‘Not at all, Doctor, not at all,’’ returned Dr. 
Phillips. "He is not a ward, but a partner on an 
equality with all his fellows, sharing all profits and 
losses, in the greatest of all corporations. His per- 
sonality is uplifted, raised above all petty anxieties, 
and his sole concern is to work for the good of 
humanity at the Government’s expense. He is thus 
literally fulfilling the Divine injunction and promise : 
'Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these 
things shall be added unto you.’ Doesn’t that 
increase our usefulness and magnify our personality 
ten-fold ?” 

"I thank you. Doctor,” said the oculist, "for giv- 
ing me some grand ideals to think about.” 

The Judge then continued the discussion by say- 
ing : "Ladies and Gentlemen, we have been consider- 
ing not only the practical question of family support, 
but also that of the moral phase of Socialism. I 
have asked my wife to tell us something of the 
ethical side of present-day charity, as she sees it in 
the slums.” 

Maud, accordingly, began: 

"My dear friends, when I lived in my quiet and 
sweet country home as a girl, and often longed for 
city life, I had no idea of the suffering and the un- 
cleanliness and wickedness which prevail in large 
cities. Now by contact with all classes of people I 


ANALYSIS OF BELLAMY’S SOCIALISM 77 


know too well the evils which exist. Extreme 
poverty fosters vice, as does extreme wealth. The 
love of money and the need of money are the twin 
causes of much sin. Only the well-to-do middle 
classes, as a rule, live under conditions which permit 
genuine goodness of life. There are noble excep- 
tions in both extreme classes, who are saints in spite 
of wealth or its absence; but, as a rule, the proper 
environment for developing true character is simple 
comfort. 

‘'Now those among whom I work in the slums 
are comfortless. We help them all ^e can, but it is, 
alas ! only patchwork. For the most part, they re- 
ceive our money as a matter of course, without any 
depth of appreciation, for they believe the rich do 
not feel what they give. 

“ ‘The crumbs from the rich man's table' are 
given and received with but little heart feeling. 
Yes, so-called charity is too often cold on both sides. 
Moreover, those who do not receive charity — i. e., 
the self-reliant poor — are tempted often to dis- 
honesty by the bad examples of the dishonest rich. 
‘If,’ they reflect, ‘these people who are above want 
and anxiety can be dishonest and yet retain their 
place in high society, am I to be condemned for a 
trifling dishonesty?' The hard grind of their lives 
serves therefore as an excuse for petty crookedness 


78 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


— such as that of some conductors who, it is alleged, 
keep back part of the car-fares. Indeed, so often are 
these people held under suspicion that they are 
almost impelled toward evil, on the soul-destroying 
theory : 


^As we have the blame, 

We’ll merit the name.’ 

‘The temptation to petty dishonesty is also seen 
in the way both rich and poor misrepresent their 
children’s ages when travelling on the cars. Again, 
often my heart bleeds at the deplorable standard in 
many homes, based upon money consideration rather 
than righteousness. For example, a parent will 
severely whip a child for breaking a dish, though 
accidentally; but for breaking one of God’s com- 
mandments willfully, they let them go unreproved. 

“Furthermore, those poor men who are compelled 
to work seven days per week are not only kept from 
church attendance, but grow antagonistic toward 
the Church because the ‘pillars’ are often those 
employers who exact a seven-day week of labor. 

“Is it not our Christian duty to change these 
sentiments of the poor by altering their conditions? 
Will the legislatures correct these abuses? Not as 
long as they are controlled by the money power. 
The mercenary character of our legislatures is un- 


ANALYSIS OF BELLAMY’S SOCIALISM 79 


deniable; it is now proverbial. Like corporations, 
they have no souls. I am no politician, but even a 
woman can see that the honest people of the country, 
led by the Church of God, must assume the reigns of 
government. The voice of the honest people is the 
voice of God. God can work directly only through 
those in harmony with Him. Politicians and cor- 
rupt legislators must be relegated to the rubbish 
heap of dead and dying evils. 

“If we pray, as I trust we all do daily, ‘Thy King- 
dom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in 
heaven,’ we must work for that ideal. The Golden 
Rule has been voted out of politics and commerce, 
with brazen effrontery; let the Church put it back 
into practical, every-day life. We may bring upon 
ourselves, as did the Apostles, the charge of ‘turning 
the world upside down.’ We will show, as they did, 
that we are only turning it right-side up. 

“Capitalism is keeping the poor away from 
church. It is with equal cruelty keeping the rich out 
of the kingdom of heaven. While our pulpits are 
denouncing materialism, they should translate this 
theological term into its modern name ‘Capitalism’ 
— a term which the people understand. Isn’t it our 
Christian duty, friends, if possible, to adopt a sys- 
tem in which money will not figure, but all men’s 
actions will be prompted by the motive to work for 
their country, humanity, and God?” 


CHAPTER IX 


THE CAMPAIGN OPENS 

The Bellamy clubs grew so rapidly in numbers 
and influence that Socialism became a strong issue 
in the fall election. Judge Marshall was urged to 
accept the nomination for Congress. He tried hard 
to decline, owing to pressure of professional duties ; 
but friends insisted that he must accept, as the log- 
ical candidate. Finally, he decided to yield, at the 
risk of losing a good deal of business, for he felt the 
cause worthy of the sacrifice. 

At first, the campaign was fought largely upon 
political lines; but soon, some of the Bellamyists 
insisted that the religious aspect of the matter 
should be emphasized. This idea came more and 
more to the front, until many pulpits were stirred 
to speak on the question, some ignoring, others de- 
nouncing it as ^'Radicalism.’’ 

A grand rally was planned for Socialism one 
night in the large auditorium of the Academy of 
Music. The Judge was expected to deliver his mas- 
ter effort on this occasion, consequently the house 
was packed by friends and foes, as well as the 


curious. 


THE CAMPAIGN OPENS 


81 


As his theme the Judge announced : 

''Socialism a Panacea/’ 

He began by saying that men are quick to distrust 
anything which claims to be a 'cure-all/ Yet every 
true Christian believes the Gospel to be such. Why 
then should not the Gospel applied to society be its 
perfect cure? Why should it not correct every 
evil ? This is simple Socialism. "Therefore I 
afhrm,” said the Judge, "that Socialism, or the Gos- 
pel in action, will work a cure for all our present 
social evils. 

"We must work on the principle of brotherly 
love; we must adopt a system of co-operation, for 
in no other way can social Christianity work with 
any degree of success. 

"Under the competitive system, we have a host 
of difficult problems : Sabbath-Desecration ; Liquor 
Question; Divorce Evil; Graft; Nepotism; Govern- 
ment Favoritism; Child Labor; Tenement House 
Cruelty; Pauperism; Petty Theft and Grand Lar- 
ceny. 

"Let me briefly show how Socialism will make 
these evils vanish, as the spring sun melts the win- 
ter’s snow heaps. 


82 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


'sabbath violation’ 

"I mean by this, not simply the desecration of the 
Christian Sunday, but also the practice of employ- 
ing men’s services seven days a week. Granting that 
some work is actually necessary on Sunday, then 
those men obliged to work on that day should have 
some other day of rest during the week. This is the 
only way faithfully to keep the 4th Commandment. 
Divine mercy provides one day’s rest in every seven 
for man and beast. Human greed encroaches upon 
that principle and on some pretext, more or less 
specious, deprives many of that right. How could 
Socialism remedy this? By such careful Govern- 
ment regulation as would provide hours of labor and 
rest equitably for all. 

'the liquor problem’ 

"Why have we so many saloons? Because there 
is money in it. Broken-down prize-fighters and 
sportsmen often take this up as a lucrative and easy 
job. Take away the money motive and you will 
close the saloons. Then the Government can take 
hold, dispense only pure drinks and provide such 
safeguards and penalties as reduce intemperance to 
a minimum. 


THE CAMPAIGN OPENS 


83 


'‘Let me hasten to say, right at this point, that we 
Socialists do not claim to 'legislate men into heaven,' 
as some scoffingly accuse us. We do not claim that 
all wickedness will be blotted out. That can be ef- 
fected only by Divine grace in the individual soul. 

"But we do claim that we will make social envi- 
ronments so clean and pure, that very little room 
will be left for temptation from without. We are 
aiming for a minimum of temptation, just as the 
Garden of Eden, full of luscious fruits and fragrant 
flowers, had only one forbidden tree. 

'divorce' 

"How far money considerations figure in matri- 
monial engagements, no man can safely estimate. 
Yet we know its influence is lamentably large. And 
it is not altogether absent, even from the minds of 
conscientious people. Our love songs and romances 
and newspaper reports are largely colored by the 
money factor. How much more is this the case 
with the unscrupulous ! Money is almost everything 
with them in matrimonial alliances. No wonder 
unhappiness is the quick result in the loveless home. 
The next step is into the divorce court. Take away 
money and people will marry chiefly from admira- 
tion and love. 


84 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


‘graft; government favoritism; greed’ 

“All these are the rank weeds of which the love 
of money is the root. Tear up the root and the 
weeds will wither and die. 

‘child labor’ 

“and all other cruel exploitation of the weak by 
the strong will be forever done away. A Govern- 
ment by Socialism will educate all children up to 
adult life, and put all on an equality of opportunity, 
while the strong will have to work for the weak, not 
vice versa. 

“And so we are not ashamed or afraid to pro- 
claim Socialism as a Panacea or ‘Cure-all.’ Any 
political platform which cannot claim as much, my 
fellow-citizens, is not worthy of your support.” 

“How would you inaugurate such a revolution?” 
cried a stentorian voice from the rear of the hall. 

“I am glad you asked that practical question,” 
replied the Judge. “First, however, permit me to 
change that word revolution to ^evolution.' It will 
be indeed a growth. We see it already advancing. 
Combination and unionism are everywhere at work. 
Capital and labor both recognize the strength of 
union in their respective spheres. This process of 


THE CAMPAIGN OPENS 


85 


uniting will continue while the number of trusts 
and unions will correspondingly lessen. Finally, by 
our intelligent co-operation with the evolution now 
at work, and by wise leadership, we shall bring all 
the streams into one. That one union of all conflu- 
ent streams is necessarily the Nation. 

'This gradual process will hurt nobody. No one 
will be summarily deprived of his possessions ; prop- 
erty will be bought by the Government as long as 
money has any value. Our duty is to further So- 
cialism by encouraging and fostering Government 
purchase and ownership. The sentiment in this 
direction is growing fast in cities, states and the 
Nation at large. When we have reached the climax 
of public ownership, all citizens will share equally 
the profits and benefits of this ideal economic. 
Union, and vie with each other in contributing their 
best efforts to the general good.’’ 

"Will we not then become the slaves of an auto- 
cratic Government, with all power centralized at 
Washington?” shouted the same voice. 

"Impossible,” answered the Judge. "If extreme 
centralization were fortified by money, it would, 
indeed, be a terror. But with all money and mer- 
cenary politicians eliminated, what imaginable 
tyranny can exist? The central Government under 
Socialism will be in fact, as it is now in name, the 


86 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


servant to the people, responding to their will as the 
‘Central’ telephone office does to the call of its sub- 
scribers. This is the only culmination to true Am- 
erican Democracy.” 

At the close of the meeting, the chairman an- 
nounced that “The Religious Aspects of Socialism,” 
would be the subject at a special meeting in this 
same auditorium on the following Sunday after- 
noon. The meeting would be strictly religious, and 
only such subjects as were suited to the sacredness of 
the day would be introduced. 


CHAPTER X 


A RELIGIOUS MASS MEETING 

A great throng filled the auditorium on Sunday 
afternoon; even standing-room was at a premium. 

The meeting was opened with Scripture reading 
by the pastor of Christ Church. He chose Micah, 
III 9 to IV 7, inclusive, and then offered prayer. 

This was followed by the hymn ^'America,’' sung 
by the whole assemblage, standing. 

Our fathers’ God! to Thee, 

Author of Liberty, 

To Thee we sing : 

Long may our land be bright 
With freedom’s holy light; 

Protect us by Thy might. 

Great God, our King ! 

The same clergyman was announced as the first 
speaker. He began thus : 

'We have come together, friends, by invitation 
of one of the candidates for Congress, to discuss the 
'Christian Aspect of our Politics." Let it be remem- 
bered that this meeting is not designed to catch 
votes ; nor does any one here by his presence on the 
platform or in the auditorium commit himself to any 


88 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


party or candidate. What we purpose to emphasize 
is that the ‘Golden Rule’ should prompt our actions 
in all political and commercial activities. The rule 
of Mammon is so popular that we must stem a very 
strong tide running against us. Let us urge this 
principle; and whatever we vote, let it be with un- 
selfish desire for the good of all. We can thus assist 
very materially in promoting a healthy sentiment 
among our fellow-men in favor of the Golden Rule 
and in opposition to the Rule of Gold. To bring 
these thoughts forcibly before you, I have chosen 
the words of a prophet of Israel who lived 700 years 
before the Christian Era. He faced conditions in 
Jerusalem similar, in their vicious effects, to those 
about us to-day, but not near so great or widespread 
as ours. If America does everything on a gigantic 
scale, greed is no exception. Listen to this fearless 
prophet as he challenges the rulers of the Nation: — 
(Micah, III 9-12). 

“ ‘Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house 
of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel, that 
abhor justice, and pervert all equity. They build up 
Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity. The 
heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests 
thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof di- 
vine for money : yet they lean upon Jehovah, and say, 
‘Is not Jehovah in the midst of us? no evil shall come 


A RELIGIOUS MASS MEETING 


89 


upon us/ Therefore shall Zion for your sake be 
plowed as a field and Jerusalem shall become heaps, 
and the mountain of the house as the high places of 
a forest/ 

'‘Was their blood-guiltiness more cruel than our 
child-labor evils? Or their oppression more tyran- 
nical than conditions in our slums? 

“Such wickedness unrepented and uncorrected 
must inevitably be followed by national disaster. 
The predictions of the prophet were literally ful- 
filled. The strong city, as you know, fell into the 
hands of the enemy and was destroyed, with its 
beautiful and costly temple. 

“Shall we escape if we persist in following Jeru- 
salem in her sins : — money-loving, extortion, greed, 
oppression ? Impossible. 

“This history in the Bible is written for our learn- 
ing. If we repent not, we shall likewise perish, for 
the same God rules to-day with unerring judgment. 
Thank Him, the door of repentance for the Nation 
is still open. A better day is pointed out. It was 
foretold by Micah ; it is within our reach. In Chap- 
ter IV we read that Justice and Peace shall reign ; 
God’s Kingdom shall eventually be supreme ; 
swords and weapons of cruelty shall be re-shaped 
into useful tools; the Lord shall reign, and every 


90 


MAUD MULLER’S MINISTRY 


man shall dwell secure at home in the bosom of his 
family/' 

At the close of this address, which was heard with 
rapt attention, Maud was introduced to sing as a 
solo, the following hymn. The rich, sweet tones 
rising and falling in graceful cadences with the vary- 
ing expressions of thought, held the audience spell- 
bound. Some connoisseurs pronounced her at times 
almost, if not quite, equal to Adelina Patti : 

God of our fathers, 

Bless this our land; 

Ocean to ocean 
Owneth Thy hand. 

Home of all nations 
From far and near, 

Give, to unite us. 

Thy faith and fear. 

God of our fathers 
Failing us never, 

God of our fathers. 

Be ours forever. 

Lord God of Sabaoth, 

Mighty in war. 

Boundless and numberless 
Thine armies are. 

Thy right hand conquereth 
All that oppose ; 

Launch forth Thy thunderbolts. 

Smite down our foes ; 

Lord God of Sabaoth, 

Failing us never, 

Lord God of Sabaoth, 

Fight for us ever. 


A RELIGIOUS MASS MEETING 


91 


Lord God our Saviour, 

Thy love overflows, 

Making our wilderness 
Bloom as the rose. 

Thou with true liberty 
Makest us free, 

Knowing no master. 

No king, but Thee; 

Lord God our Saviour, 

Failing us never. 

Lord God our Saviour, 

Reign Thou forever. 

Spirit of unity, 

Crown of all kings. 

Find us a resting place 
Under Thy wings : 

By Thine own presence 
Thy will be done, 

Millions of free men 
Banded as one. 

Lord God almighty, 

Failing us never. 

Thine be the glory. 

Now and forever. 

There was a reverent hush as Maud sat down ; 
then, all of a sudden, a mighty wave of applause 
swept through the house. When this finally sub- 
sided, Mr. Brierly was presented to speak upon ‘‘So- 
cialism as a Religion.’' 

He eloquently pointed out that the cause of the 
poor and oppressed, when they ask for pure justice 
from their employers, should be championed by the 
Church of the Divine Carpenter. “When the 


92 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


Church/’ he urged, ‘‘is silent, in the face of flagrant 
wrong, the poor feel that it fears the rich : that it is 
a rich-men’s club. Consequently they absent them- 
selves from worship and exercise their religious 
impulses in the cause of a churchless Socialism. If 
this neglect continues, it will estrange the poor, until 
Socialism and the Church will be in antagonistic 
camps, arrayed in deadly strife. But this shall not, 
must not be. The Church is Christ’s; so is Social- 
ism : or, if you please to call it ‘The Co-operative 
Commonwealth.’ It is Bible doctrine, taught to the 
Jews during the Old Testament Theocracy; and to 
the Christians in the Acts of the Apostles. In both 
cases it was trampled down by a world unprepared 
for brotherhood. Now that the world by profession 
is Christian, the ‘truth crushed to earth shall rise 
again.’ ” 

At this juncture, an aged clergyman in one of 
the boxes, arose to interpose a question. The 
speaker paused while all eyes were turned in the 
direction of the box. “May I ask,” said the old man 
in a deliberate tone, “how Socialism can claim to be 
practical Christianity, when it repudiates a funda- 
mental principle which Jesus sanctioned, viz : the 
sacredness of private ownership? The Parable of 
the Talents shows this; it is implied in that of the 
Good Samaritan; The Unforgiving Servant; The 


A RELIGIOUS MASS MEETING 


93 


Unjust Steward; The Rich Man and Lazarus. Can 
you reconcile the foundations upon which these par- 
ables are built, with this novel doctrine of public 
ownership V 

''Reverend Sir,” answered Mr. Brierly, "you 
have studied theology more than I. Therefore I do 
not presume to teach you on these points, except to 
remind you, if you will allow me, that our Saviour’s 
favorite method of teaching was by illustration — 
with the use of facts familiar to His hearers. To 
have done otherwise would have been as absurd as 
to have preached to them in modern English. The 
employment of plain and familiar facts as illustra- 
tions to elucidate teaching does not carry with it the 
endorsement of those facts. If it did, we should be 
bound forever to polygamy, slavery, and Govern- 
ment by kings. But the Word of God teaches us 'to 
go on to perfection.’ We have, therefore, advanced 
under the impulse and inspiration of Christian 
truth and teaching, and left these imperfect systems 
behind. We are now to make another advance, and 
move from the slavery of the competitive system to 
the freedom of co-operation. Moreover, as we trans- 
late our Lord’s Aramean into modern English for 
the understanding of the people, so must we trans- 
late His doctrines into modern application. We 
shall find that in so doing, the parables which you 


94 


MAUD MULLER’S MINISTRY 


have cited would have equal, if not greater force 
under the proposed Socialism. For example, the 
‘talents’ in the Parable do not necessarily mean 
money, but personal endoimicnts. Such an interpre- 
tation gives far more point to the teaching. Herein 
Socialism helps very materially in the acceptance 
and practice of this teaching, for it promises to give 
to every one equal opportunity to improve his native 
endowments. On the other hand, the present com^ 
petitive system holds money before the youth as a 
great, if not the greatest, incentive, and often re- 
duces his aspirations to the sordid love of gain. 
Take, again, the Parable of the Good Samaritan: it 
loses none of its force and beauty by eliminating 
money from the story. The two-pence is only a 
small incident to the untiring s)mpathy and personal 
attention of the benefactor. 

“And so with all Christ’s parables. He did not 
teach any form of political economy except abso- 
lute righteousness. He left to us to apply His great 
principles and ideals to the changing needs of the 
ages. 

“Let me say, in conclusion, that one of Christ’s 
miracles culminates in the enforcement of a doctrine 
which is an essential tenet of Socialism : that is — 
strict economy. After the feeding of the five thou- 
sand, the Lord, who so easily made that abundance. 


A RELIGIOUS MASS MEETING 


95 


commanded : ^Gather up the fragments that remain, 
that nothing be lost.' How remarkable that care- 
fulness on the part of the great Provider. 

‘^And now that He lavishes upon this Nation the 
abundance of food and clothing, and all other riches. 
He likewise requires us to practice strict economy. 
If we fail to observe this command we are disobe- 
dient; we are wasting His blessings. Wastefulness, 
undoubtedly, is sin. 

^The logic, therefore, of Socialism assumes the 
form of this syllogism : — 

All wastefulness is sin. 

The competitive system is wasteful, 

Therefore, the competitive system is sin !” 

After some sacred instrumental music, Mr. Mat- 
suyama, a Japanese student, was introduced to speak 
upon ^Tnternational Socialism — the Strongest Ally 
of Christian Missions.’’ 

His English was scholarly and fascinating in 
style ; his delivery calm and effective. He was 
listened to with close attention, and his telling points 
were punctuated with generous applause. One 
point especially brought down the house. ‘‘The 
missionaries,” he said, “trv to teach to the not-yet 


96 


MAUD MULLEKS MINISTRY 


Christians the Fatherhood of God and the Brother- 
hood of men. When the Japanese ask ‘How long 
have you known these principles?’ and are told 
‘Always/ they naturally ask again, ‘Why do 
you not practice them? You have bitter rivalries in 
trade, you have tariffs and great war-ships and big 
guns, you despise foreigners, exploiting them and 
allowing rum to enter in and demoralize them; and 
even your Christianity is broken up into rival sects. 
You seem to practice contrary to your preaching. 
Where then is the power of your religion? Is it 
powerless to reform your personal life, your national 
life, your church life?’ 

“Now under Socialism — which I, as a Christian 
convert, believe to be Applied Christianity — these 
serious obstacles to the advancement of the Gospel 
will be forever done away. Japanese Socialism 
stretches its hands over the ocean and calls to Am- 
erica’s Christian Socialism — ‘Brothers, we are one, 
we are one.’ ” (Great applause.) 

It was then announced that Mrs. Marshall would 
sing “The wStar-Spangled Banner,” and all the audi- 
ence were invited to join in the chorus. This invita- 
tion seemed entirely unnecessary, for the enthusiasm 
to which the people were now wrought up, and the 
inspiration of Maud’s ringing voice, demanded some 


A RELIGIOUS MASS MEETING 


97 


vent. Spontaneously they arose with a new sense 
of patriotism and almost shouted the refrain : 

' Tis the Star-Spangled Banner ; oh ! long may it wave 
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.' 

Suiting the action to the words, a large American 
flag was suddenly swung across the stage: the 
immense audience was on tip-toe to see over each 
others shoulders : the building shook with the accla- 
mations, while handkerchiefs and hats were waving 
everywhere. 

The noise quickly subsided as Maud was seen 
preparing to sing another verse. Her thrilling notes 
were soon disturbed by a whirring sound, which 
ushered in another flag: Great Britain's cross-bars 
were swung alongside our flag; then, on the other 
side, Japan's 'Rising Sun.' In quick succession, the 
flags of other nations took their places, forming an 
arch across the stage, with the 'Stars and Stripes' 
as the keystone. 

Even Maud's charming notes now could not hold 
the assembla^g-e. This picture of international 
brotherhood caused them to break out into voci- 
ferous shouts. 

Maud stopped, and waited with a calm smile. 
She knew what was coming. Suddenly a flash of 
electric light illumined a hitherto unnoticed cross, 


98 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


towering above the keystone flag. It glorified the 
ecumenical arch with a new lustre, while the vast 
audience almost went wild with religious fervor. 

Peter the Hermit never faced a more enthusiastic 
multitude. ‘'It is the Will of God” was written 
upon the face of this meeting as clearly as it was 
shouted by the first Crusaders. 

Immediately the orchestra began to play a verse 
of the familiar old missionary hymn ; Maud started 
to sing it and many voices joined her, while others 
were choked with joyful emotion: 

Jesus shall reign where’er the sun 
Does his successive journeys run; 

His kingdom stretch from shore to shore, 

Till moons shall wax and wane no more. 

Blessings abound where’er He reigns ; 

The prisoner leaps to burst his chains, 

The weary find eternal rest, 

And all the sons of want are blest. 


CHAPTER XI 


THE farmers’ rally 

The news of the religious impulse imparted to the 
Socialist cause soon spread far and wide. Con- 
sequently when, on the following Saturday after- 
noon, a P'armers’ Rally was held at the village of 
Locustville, men came from all directions for many 
miles around, and filled the spacious grove in which 
a small platform had been erected for the occasion. 

Our candidate was in excellent form. He had not 
been accustomed to out-door speaking, but he soon 
convinced himself and his audience that his orotund 
tones could reach to the furthest man on the out- 
skirts of the crowd. Moreover, there was the ring 
of truth in his every utterance. ‘The clear concep- 
tion, outrunning the deductions of logic, the high 
purpose, the firm resolve, the dauntless spirit, speak- 
ing on the tongue, beaming from the eye, informing 
every feature, urged him onward to his object,’ and 
made all feel the thrill of listening to a prophet of 
true reform. He knew how the farmers suffer the 
manifold injustice of the competitive system, and 
how they have no possible redress. The only 
material compensation for their hard lot lies in the 


100 


MAUD MULLER’S MINISTRY 


enjoyment of the sweet and invigorating environ- 
ments of Nature. 

‘‘Fellow-countrymen/’ began the Judge, “we are 
met together to discuss that much-mistaken political 
opinion called ‘Socialism.’ 

“Many honest and thoughtful men among you 
still view it with suspicion. You loyally support the 
old parties, and vote as your fathers did ; you cherish 
your family traditions, including, of course, political 
attachments. For this I admire you. No man 
should depart one hair-breadth from his parents’ 
teaching unless he can give an excellent reason for 
so doing. 

“But let me remind you that your fathers were 
reasonable men; if they were all present here to-day 
they would agree in the opinion that every plausible 
political doctrine should have a fair hearing; and 
especially so, if told that its adoption held the 
promise of immeasurable good. I can imagine 
every one of those hoary-head sires standing up and 
advising their sons, in the words of the inspired 
Apostle : 

“ ‘Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.’ 

“Therefore, by studying Socialism, you are not 
guilty of one iota of disloyalty to the old family ties 
and traditions. Rather, you exhibit thereby the 


THE FARMERS^ RALLY 


101 


spirit of independence which, under Providence, has 
built up our national greatness. 

'''Socialism.’ What does it mean? Simply 'co- 
operation.’ Working together — instead of the 
present practice of working against each other. 
This competitive system under which society now 
groans, has outlived its usefulness. To our fathers 
it appeared to be the very 'life of trade.’ It seemed 
to put every man on his mettle, and did compara- 
tively little harm, before the invention of modern 
facilities; in those days society was more scattered 
and the means of travel were limited to such slow 
methods as stage-coaches and sail-boats ; while 
steam power was in its infancy, and electricity was 
scarcely known. Then, the disadvntages of com- 
petition were not as keenly felt because men had 
more area for their endeavors. Now, on the con- 
trary, improvements have so facilitated travel, 
manufacture and distribution, while the human 
family is multiplying . so rapidly and crowding 
together, that men are jostling one another in the 
eager rush for money. 

"You know very well how competition is crowd- 
ing the smaller dealers to the wall. 'Driven to the 
Wall’ is a fitting epitaph for the victims upon the 
successive steps of this up-hill fight, which culmi- 
nates (significantly enough) at Wall Street. There 


102 


MAUD MULLERS MINISTRY 


the half-crazed idolaters shout themselves hoarse in 
their worship of the Golden Calf. What a sad 
spectacle to angels and men is this climax of an age 
gone mad with competition ! 

^‘Could our fathers — especially those who fought 
in the Revolution — awake to see their children boldly 
sold into the power of the money-magnates, what 
would be their horror! Yet we look on with indif- 
ference, because we have become accustomed to this 
disgrace. Pope well describes our lethargy in his 
familiar lines : 

'Vice is a monster of such frightful mien. 

As, to be hated, needs but to be seen. 

But seen too oft, familiar with her face. 

We first endure, then pity, then embrace.' 

"Let us beware of such apathy, lest nine-tenths of 
our Nation be sold into slavery. 

"To-day you, my farmer friends, are suffering 
financial stringency. Let us study your problems : 

"You suffer, whenever the masses in the city 
suffer. You thrive when they thrive. This is easily 
comprehended in the fact that they are your most 
numerous customers. You are therefore vitally in- 
terested in the welfare of the laboring classes. You 
suffer low prices in proportion to the low prices paid 
for labor by men who are amassing fortunes. 


THE FARMERS^ RALLY 


103 


'‘Another source of financial trouble for you is 
the fact that you cannot name the price of your own 
produce. The middle-men sell it quickly for what 
they can get, returning to you the proceeds minus 
their substantial commission. You sometimes doubt 
their honesty, but have no redress. 

"On the other hand, when you make a purchase in 
the city, you cannot name the price. That is the 
seller's prerogative. 

"So you farmers are the victims of this poor rule : 
The buyer sets the price of the farmer's produce; 
the seller sets the price of the farmer's purchases. 
You are comparatively helpless. You are practically 
at the mercy of both dealers, ground between two 
millstones. 

"What is your remedy? You have often dis- 
cussed it, haven't you? A Farmers' Union? 

"That would help considerably, if it were practi- 
cable, but you know too well the force of the com- 
mon saying : 'Everything can combine but the 
farmers.' You are too scattered. And yet what a 
power you could wield if united. The world 
depends absolutely upon you. Without you it would 
starve. We can easily dispense with Wall Street; 
less easily with modern improvements; but never 
can we live a week without you. We depend upon 
you for breakfast, dinner and supper. You are 


104 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


simply indispensable. Why then are you not the 
mightiest power in the Nation? Because, my 
friends, you are not united in action. You are as 
lacking in cohesion as a rope of sand. You need a 
strong force to band you together. You have tried 
everything imaginable. The old parties have failed 
you. Now I say, without fear of successful contra- 
diction, that your one remedy is Socialism. How 
can that help you ? Listen ! 

'The Government, under Socialism, would take 
all your farms and in return guarantee you and your 
family a comfortable living. You would be em- 
ployed by the Government at work not to exceed 
eight hours per day, and on your former property 
if you so desired. The most improved implements 
and tools would be furnished you by the Nation, 
with the best of seed to sow, and good horses or 
motor machines for the work. On your part you 
would, of course, be expected to do your best, work- 
ing with the zeal of a patriot and the zest of a poet. 
That harrowing care, which has furrowed so many 
faces before me, would be forever lifted, to rest 
upon the broad shoulders of 'Uncle Sam,’ where it 
belongs. No more fretting over unseasonable 
weather, merciless mortgages, children’s poor facili- 
ties for schooling, or wife’s heavy burdens. The 
best of schools would be at your disposal; for 


THE FARMERS’ RALLY 


105 


Socialism, unlike the present system, knows no 
favoritism. 

‘'Your barns would be of a quality and size to be 
justly proud of. Irrigation, fertilization and every 
desirable improvement would be given the land, as 
the most approved treatment would be meted out to 
our whole 3,000,000 square miles of soil. 

“Now, gentlemen,’' continued the Judge, “I have 
pictured the country under Socialism, when money 
will be dethroned, and merit alone will hold sway, 
harnessing all the resources of the country for the 
common good. 

“If any one would like to ask questions, I shall 
be happy to resolve this meeting into an informal 
discussion.” 

“I would like to ask,” spoke up a bright young 
man in high boots, “whether you suppose a farmer 
who has worked a lifetime, as my father has, on 
paying for and improving his farm, would be willing 
to surrender his all for a Government promise of 
support ?” 

“Not immediately. That willingness is the pro- 
duct of education,” answered the Judge. “Socialism 
is coming gradually, and people will gradually learn 
its advantages. Already we see the need of Govern- 
ment supervision at least over banks, insurance 


106 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


companies, railroads and certain other large cor- 
porations. Supervision will be followed by purchase 
or confiscation, according to the merits or demerits 
of each case. With each new step, a new impulse 
will be given to the sentiment for Public Ownership 
until most people will recognize it as a godsend. 
Then they will as cheerfully surrender their 
property as did the first Christians. 

‘‘Public Ownership means a double boon to the 
public: first, in better service; second, in turning 
all profits into the Public Treasury instead of the 
pockets of selfish and grasping corporations. 

“Take our Post Office Department, for example. 
Who would wish it owned by a Trust? What do 
you suppose you would have to pay for a stamp, if 
capitalists owned the postal facilities? Could you 
then send a letter (with almost perfect confidence in 
its safe delivery) from here to California or the 
Philippine Islands for only two cents?’" 

“No, no,” cried a number of voices, while a 
general murmur of approval swept through the 
crowd. 

“As the Post Office then, in its best features, is an 
example of applied Socialism — and every one is 
proud of it — shall we not take a pride in further 
Government Ownership, and at the proper time be 


THE FARMERS’ RALLY 


107 


ready to entrust even a whole lifetime’s earnings to 
an ideal Government?” 

“Now look a-here, Judge Marshall,” said a white- 
haired old farmer with twinkling eyes, “do you sup- 
pose that I — a life-long Democrat — would surrender 
my home and living to a Republican administra- 
tion?” 

At this there was a general laugh, in which the 
Judge joined heartily, and replied : 

“No, sir! Most emphatically no! We would 
advise you never to do so. When Socialism wins, 
however, the Republican party will be as dead as its 
predecessors : the old ‘Whigs’ and the ‘Know- 
Nothings.’ We will then have a real ‘Democratic 
Republic’ — which means literally a Government by 
the people, shared by all alike as a ‘Public Thing.’ 
The Latin Res Publica implies this, and excludes 
all idea of private exploitation. Now we have 
neither a true ‘Democracy’ nor a true ‘Republic.’ 
The old parties stand for practically little more than 
empty names.” 

“Judge, I drank in Democracy with my mother’s 
milk and ain’t weaned yet,” was the merry rejoinder, 
which evoked another round of good-humored 
applause. = 

The Judge, laughingly, replied : “You should have 
been rewarded with a Cabinet position long ago, my 


108 


MAUD MULLERS MINISTRY 


good friend and the laugh was renewed as the old 
gentleman chuckled his assent. 

‘Well, now we are ready for more quizzing,’' 
urged the Judge. 

After a little pause a modest looking man in the 
rear stepped nearer and asked : “Will you kindly 
tell me where the Government' (rich as it is) is to 
get enough money to buy up all these thousands of 
farms throughout the country?” 

“I am glad to discuss that very practical question. 

“You admit that our Government is rich. It 
expends for its Army and Navy lumps of $ioo,- 
000,000 at a time. The sum of more than a billion 
dollars was spent altogether for the freeing of Cuba 
and the suppression of the Philippines. If we can 
do so much for war, cannot we do as much for 
peaceful enterprises? Suppose we paid such 
amounts for purchasing first the railroads, the 
citizens would not feel the tax very much, if at all ; 
while the profits accruing would continually flow 
into the Public Treasury, enabling the Government 
to purchase more and more until there would be 
nothing left in private hands. This process will be 
made sufficiently gradual to enable the financial 
world to die easily. 

“Do not suppose either, that all railroads are 
worth what they claim. The ‘water’ will be care- 


THE FARMERS’ RALLY 


109 


fully drained out, and Uncle Sam will pay only for 
solid stock. ( Laughter. ) 

^'Making money as fast as it invests, the Govern- 
ment's purchasing power will be practically limitless. 
^Millions for defence (of the people's rights) but not 
a cent for tribute (to capitalism)' is our latest 
battle-cry. 

^'Therefore, we must educate our citizens to the 
fact that money has really no intrinsic value. It is 
only the recognized certificate for Value received' — 
the representative of the products of brain and 
brawn. Yet even in this representative capacity it 
bears a false and deceptive character: false, in the 
fact that it is often the product of war, rapine and 
plunder; deceptive, for at one fell blow (as we read 
in to-day's paper) a million dollars can be ruth- 
lessly carried off by a defaulting bank cashier, 
causing death, suicide and general distress among 
the unfortunate depositors. As an inheritance, then, 
from the past, it is not above suspicion ; as a promise 
for the future it is frequently as evanescent as a 
beautiful dream. 

^‘Mr. Bellamy has well said in this connection: 
^The only coinage worth anything is that which is 
stamped in the image of God.' " 

^'You have given me material for much deep 
thought and study," answered the man, gratefully. 


110 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


^^Now,” continued the Judge, ^Vhile you may be 
thinking out more problems, let me tell you how the 
Government can economize for the public good.” 
Here he gave figures from the last United States 
Census, showing what a vast army of men, in the 
aggregate, is busied in non-productive employment : 
Middlemen of all kinds, advertising and insurance 
agents, commercial travellers, bankers and brokers, 
employees in the United States Treasury and Mints, 
and all persons occupied simply in handling money. 
'We can dispense,” he said, "with nine-tenths of 
our lawyers, whose chief business now is the settle- 
ment of disputes over private property. All the 
unemployed — extreme rich and extreme paupers — 
will be compelled to work or starve, on the Biblical 
principle that, 'he who will not work shall not eat.’ 

"Think what an enormous gain will be realized, 
when this vast aggregation of men is put to pro- 
ductive employment !” 

"Will the lawyers have to wield my hammer?” 
laughed the stalwart village blacksmith. 

"Hardly,” said the Judge. "Work will be appor- 
tioned according to men’s ability and inclination. 
If that inclination impels too many to seek one 
particular occupation, according to Mr. Bellamy (in 
his remarkable book, 'Looking Backward’) a handi- 


THE FARMERS^ RALLY 


111 


cap can be placed upon the more popular occupa- 
tions, and a premium upon the less popular, by the 
increase and decrease, respectively, of the hours of 
labor/' 

^^Judge," spoke up a near bystander, ‘‘I see that 
Mr. Bryan says, We cannot do without the spur of 
competition.' What say you?" 

‘‘Exactly the same," answered the Judge. “But 
while Mr. Bryan is voicing the sentiments of a 
money-ridden age, which cannot think without 
dollars and cents, we Socialists raise the plane of 
competition. We make the basis not money but 
merit ; and ' the goal not self, but humanity and 
country. Under Socialism, will not every man strive 
for advancement to positions of greater responsi- 
bility? Will he not be fired by both a personal and 
a patriotic ambition? To serve one's country, even 
at the sacrifice of self, is a greater and keener spur 
than that of self-service. The appeal to the heroic 
in man always produces the best results. This senti- 
ment was uttered by Mr. Bonaparte, when Secretary 
of the Navy, at a recent graduation in the Naval 
Academy. I will read his words from this news- 
paper clipping, and you will see what a lofty ideal 
he holds before the midshipmen : 


112 


MAUD MULLER’S MINISTRY 


“ ‘Men who serve their country in arms, work 
not for their good, but for hers, not that they 
or those dear to them be the better for their toil, 
but that she be safe and peaceful and honored. 
And as they toil to other ends, so they think and 
speak of other things ; they have little thought of 
their rights, but great thought of their duties ; 
they are not concerned lest they give more or get 
less than their just due ; what they shall get is 
left to their country’s laws ; what they shall give, 
be it of labor or suffering or life itself, rests and 
rests only in her need. Your profession is a school, 
a lifelong school of self-sacrifice and obedience, 
and never has the teaching of such a school been 
more timely to our country’s happiness and honor 
than it is to-day.’ 


‘‘While Mr. Bonaparte would inculcate this spirit 
in the United States Navy, Socialism esteems every 
American citizen worthy of its possession. It can be 
realized. We do not claim the ability to ‘legislate 
men into the Kingdom of Heaven,’ but we do claim 
this : that with universal education, vastly improved 
environment and systematic brotherhood, the whole 
race will be uplifted and pointed to the highest 
ethical heights. 


CHAPTER XII 


THE CONVERTED BISHOP 

Despite the vast amount of work which the cam- 
paign laid upon the male members of the Bellamy 
Clubs, it was resolved to hold the regular meetings 
of the clubs uninterruptedly. 

When the men couldn’t possibly attend, the ladies 
had the meetings to themselves, and naturally dis- 
cussed those features of Socialism which appealed 
more strongly to their sex, such as Household Econ- 
omies, the Educational and Moral Training of the 
Young, Romances without Money, Church Charities 
with love (not lucre) as the gift to the sick and 
sorrowing. 

One evening promised to be of unusual interest. 

“We are to have Bishop Graham with us to- 
night,” was Maud’s delighted greeting to her guests. 
“He is, of course, very busy and heretofore has been 
compelled to decline our urgent invitations, but this 
evening he has definitely promised to attend.” 

“What are his views of Bellamy?” asked several 
ladies in chorus. 


114 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


'‘Oh !” returned Maud, "not very flattering. Like 
so many busy men who keep out of politics, he re- 
gards Socialism as a visionary scheme.’’ 

"Here he comes now, girls,” whispered a young 
woman looking out of the window. At this 
announcement, all prepared to meet him with that 
cordiality which is ever the reward of a faithful 
pastor. 

"Good evening. Bishop,” was the general greet- 
ing, as the good man stepped in and extended his 
hands right and left. "Welcome to our Bellamy 
Club at last.” 

"Yes,” he responded, "at last I have succeeded in 
getting here. I want to learn more of this new doc- 
trine from those who are earnestly studying it.” 

"Good, Bishop,” assented the Judge, just coming 
in. "I have succeeded in getting off for a few 
minutes from a mass-meeting in order to welcome 
you.” 

After a few exchanges of pleasantry the Judge 
continued : "And now. Bishop, to start our meeting. 
You will not be surprised to know that we have 
adopted the rule of opening our discussions with 
prayer. We are learning more and more to empha- 
size the religious aspect of Socialism. Will you 
kindly offer prayer?” 


THE CONVERTED BISHOP 


115 


The bishop promptly knelt, and in his clear, 
resonant voice prayed for Divine guidance for all : 
for our Rulers in Church and State; for all in 
authority of any kind. Then turning his thoughts 
to all sorts and conditions of men, he devoutly prayed 
for rich and poor, high and low, that all might know 
the abundant joy of service to God and to their 
fellow-men. 

A deep impression was made upon all; and espe- 
cially upon the bishop himself, for he had come (as 
he afterwards admitted) in a playful mood, “just 
for sociability and relaxation.” That prayer, how- 
ever, had inspired all with an earnest and business- 
like spirit, which presaged good results. 

The Judge read, as was his custom, a short 
passage of Scripture. He chose Isaiah, the eleventh 
chapter, first to tenth verse, inclusive. 

Then he asked, rhetorically, why this Messianic 
age has not yet been realized? After nineteen cen- 
turies of Christianity we still have discord and 
strife. “Where is the promise of the regeneration of 
the race, when the Cjuondam victims of rapacity and 
greed will no longer fear, but all will associate in a 
peaceful brotherhood? Bishop, will you kindly tell 
us, as church members, what the Church should do 
further, to hasten Christ’s kingdom among men?” 


116 


MAUD MULLER’S MINISTRY 


‘'Judge Marshall and friends,” responded the 
bishop, “I had not expected a discussion in which I 
was to be a principal ! I came to listen, and to learn 
more about this new political creed. 

“But I must answer your direct question; it is a 
most vital and practical one. 

“To hasten Christ’s kingdom is the great mission 
of His Church ; the means thereto is the preaching 
and practicing of righteousness. When that is done 
fearlessly and constantly by the Church, the world 
will be attracted, for they shall ‘see your good works 
and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ 

“Yet, we must sadly admit, many are guilty of 
sins of omission. The Church does not always do 
her full duty ; there are too many nominal Christians. 
It behooves us, therefore, each to be a missionary in 
his own circle and to let our light shine.” 

“But then. Bishop,” asked the Judge, “cannot the 
Church take formal action in demanding justice for 
the oppressed? When, for example, workingmen 
ask for one day’s rest in every seven, should not the 
Church — which proclaims the Fourth Commandment 
every Sunday — openly insist that the laborer have 
it ? Should she not fearlessly brand all who oppose 
this just request, as law-breakers? Should she not 
stoutly refuse to hold stock or securities in any enter- 
prises, railroads or others, which ignore the Sabbath 


THE CONVERTED BISHOP 


117 


principle? I mean not necessarily Sunday observ- 
ance, but the principle of a seventh of each week as 
a periodical rest-day for every toiler. 

“Again, when laboring men peacefully ask a raise 
in wages, commensurate with the increased cost of 
living or the increased profits of the corporation, 
should not the Church urge their reasonable appeal ?” 

“My dear Judge,” answered the bishop fervently, 
“you know the Church sympathizes most heartily 
with the poor, and denounces oppression. But she 
cannot meddle in politics or commerce. Our min- 
isters are not all graduates in political economy, 
and therefore cannot safely instruct lawyers and 
merchants in the details of their business. We must 
preach righteousness, and trust to the Christian 
statesmanship of our people to apply it.” 

“And yet, my dear Bishop, when professing 
Christians hear their duty in church, and go back to 
their business to belie their Church’s instructions, 
shouldn’t the Church call them to account? Or, is 
the impression to go forth that the Commandments 
of God are published only in a ‘Pickwickian sense’?” 

“My dear Judge, it is our constant practice to 
denounce inconsistency and hypocrisy. But we 
refuse to plunge the Church into quarrels between 
capital and labor, as Christ refused the request tq 
‘divide an inheritance.’ ” 


118 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


‘‘Yet, Bishop,’’ urged the Judge, “was not our 
Lord’s refusal, to arbitrate that question of prop- 
erty, due to the covetous spirit of the man? He 
tried to enlist Christ’s popularity on his side for 
selfish ends, and our Lord, who always addressed 
the inner man, emphasized the man’s need of a better 
spirit. Moreover, Bishop, does not Christ teach His 
Church, pointedly, to see that justice is done, when 
He sharply rebukes the self-righteous Pharisees for 
‘devouring widows’ houses’ ?” 

“We do rebuke such sins,” replied the bishop, 
“when they become so notorious as to justify a public 
rebuke. But the vast majority of our people are 
making an honest living, some as leaders, others as 
employees, according to their deserts. Shall we dis*- 
turb their devotional spirit on Sundays, by publicly 
scoring some particular reprobate?” 

“My dear Bishop,” answered the Judge, “you 
imagine that the congregations are generally com- 
posed of men who deal justly with their fellows in 
business. I wish it were so. But experience has 
taught me that it is far otherwise. Pardon me then, 
if I destroy your pleasant illusion. I can cite 
several cases which have come under my observa- 
tion, to show that the exigencies of the competitive 
system are driving men into practices which their 


THE CONVERTED BISHOP 


119 


own consciences disapprove, and which they would 
blush to acknowledge before you. 

‘The first representative instance which comes to 
mind is that of a highly respected churchman who 
owns a large cotton mill. He is a man for whom I 
entertain most pleasant feelings, and whom I regard 
as the unwilling victim of the present business 
methods. Competition compels him to get the best 
work for the least money, because his competitors 
do so. 

“He works his hands on very low wages for ten 
full hours per day. Among the hundreds of opera- 
tives there are quite a number of small children as 
young as the law will permit. He resents attempts 
to improve Child-Labor laws. Moreover, he is re- 
peatedly accused of failing to fulfill promises which 
his agents make when they persuade families to 
break up their farm-homes and come to work at his 
plant. Owing to this disaffection, families are con- 
stantly deserting him, and he is put to the necessity 
of frequently sending his agents to drum up more 
new hands. 

“Sometimes these agents even go to other mill- 
towns to entice the employees away (and the dis- 
courtesy is reciprocated). Allowing for a certain 
percentage of human grumbling, the fact remains 
that the complaint is so general as to awaken strong 


120 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


suspicion. And this suspicion is confirmed beyond 
doubt by the candid testimony of the very manager 
of the mill — a man who has been employed by this 
plant practically his whole life-time. The testimony 
was evoked in this way : the pastor of the local 
church approached the manager in his office and 
urged him to come forward and profess Christ pub- 
licly by confirmation. With a look and gesture of 
great surprise, he wheeled around in his chair to 
face the minister squarely, and exclaimed: Wou 
want me to be confirmed ? Impossible ! Do you sup- 
pose I could treat these people as I am compelled to 
do, and at the same time profess Christianity? No, 
Mr. — , you can't run a cotton-mill and be a Chris- 
tian.' 

‘‘He then seemed to fear he had admitted too much, 
for he asked the minister not to repeat his words. 
(Out of consideration for him, the minister always, 
while in that town, kept the conversation confiden- 
tially. ) 

“Another case : A communicant of my acquaint- 
ance runs a large steam laundry. In order to out- 
general a certain competitor, he is systematically 
cutting prices in some of his branch offices (which, 
by the way, do business under different names) 
while he maintains the usual prices in branches 
where he can safely do so. Yet all the laundry work 


THE CONVERTED BISHOP 


121 


is done at one plant, and receives precisely the same 
attention. He is thus charging some of his unsus- 
pecting patrons 33 1-3 per cent, more than others. 
Can such deception and partiality be justified in a 
Christian ? 

‘'Again, consider the extortionate charges of some 
of my own profession, who call themselves Chris- 
tians. They pretend to see no harm in charging a 
poor man or a widow a large per cent, commission 
for a small service on the plea that it is the practice 
of the profession. Policy, not Christ's teaching, is 
the practice of these men." 

‘T do not know so much about the lawyers," an- 
swered the bishop ; “in fact I do know some of that 
profession who quietly do much charity. But I am 
grieved to hear what you relate about the cotton- 
mills and the laundries. I confess that if competi- 
tion drives Christian men to such questionable prac- 
tices the Church must do something to arrest this 
moral decay. Shall the Church start a vigorous cru- 
sade for commercial righteousness ?" 

This concluding question the bishop addressed 
rather to himself, and the anxious expression upon 
his classic face revealed the agitation of his soul. 

“I will take your advice, Judge," he concluded, 
“and read Bellamy, to see how he would solve this 


122 


MAUD MULLER’S MINISTRY 


problem. Permit me to say ‘Good Night’ with the 
promise to study ‘Looking Backward.’ ” 

A week later, the bishop attended again. True 
to his promise, he had read Bellamy with searching 
scrutiny, and now declared his astonishment and 
delight. 

“If this change could possibly be effected as 
peaceably as Bellamy depicts it, I would pray 
earnestly that it might come to-morrow. But while 
admiring, I still doubt the practicability of this 
revolution (or ‘evolution’ as he calls it) and believe 
in giving the competitive system a little more time 
to reform, and to vindicate its right to continue.” 

“Bishop,” replied the Judge eagerly, “I would 
cordially second any effort to improve our present 
system, but it is useless. The system is hopelessly 
vicious. It would take a race of angels to operate 
it without injustice. From the richest to the poorest, 
dishonesty, suspicion and injustice percolate through 
every stratum of society, until we can scarcely trust 
one dollar out of our sight. Where can we check 
this evil tendency of the age?” 

“I confess my inability to give you a completely 
satisfactory answer,” replied the bishop. “What- 
ever we might attempt, I fear, would be like all 
efforts in the past — only new patchwork on the old 
garment. Such partial reform is denounced by 


THE CONVERTED BISHOP 


123 


Christ when He commands us to ^make all things 
new*.’ By His help we must try a thorough reforma- 
tion. 

‘‘Yet, before professing a complete conversion to 
Socialism, I will propound one or two more ques- 
tions, and ask your indulgence of a conservative old 
bishop. 

“First: Would not Socialism destroy individual 
ambition and initiative? 

“And secondly: Would not the man of culture 
and refinement be hampered in his desires by having 
an allowance from the Government no greater than 
that of the less-cultured citizen?'' 

“As to the first question. Bishop," replied the 
Judge, “don't you think ambition should rest upon 
a more solid and enduring foundation than money ? 
Ambition to serve one's country will be greatly stim- 
ulated by the co-operative system, and men will be 
able to rise into positions of ever-increasing respon- 
sibility, commensurate with their deserts. Surely, 
the desire for glory in a true soldier is an incentive 
a thousandfold stronger than his $13 a month. How 
much more will patriotism burn in the breast of the 
‘industrial' soldier who works for humanity and not 
for the destruction of his fellow-man ! Has money 
been the real stimulus back of the world's greatest 
inventions? No; the truth of the matter is this: 


124 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


that the majority of inventions and discoveries have 
been the work of men who had no fortune but 
brains, and no ambition but human progress. When 
the invention becomes marketable, capital springs 
forward as a beast of prey and exploits the product 
of the genius. 

“Money is so ingrained into our notions of suc- 
cess, my dear Bishop, that it is hard even for a 
bishop, to think without it.'’ The bishop smiled, 
thoughtfully. 

“The second question is a most interesting one. 
It is urged as one of the strongest objections to So- 
cialism. We had it treated, a few weeks ago, in a 
clear and forceful manner by Dr. Phillips. It is 
simply this: The Government will educate all its 
citizens; all will eventually be cultured. A genera- 
tion of compulsory education will necessarily pro- 
duce such a result. Hence we shall have refined 
associates all about us. Moreover, the compensation 
granted to every citizen will be ample for the grati- 
fication of every reasonable desire. True, the lover 
of art will not always be able to purchase master- 
pieces of painting and sculpture, as millionaires can 
do now; but the Nation will be the purchaser and 
custodian of such, and placing them in the public art 
galleries, will give everybody the opportunity of 


THE CONVERTED BISHOP 


125 


enjoying them. Here again, Socialism triumphs 
over selfishness.’’ 

frankly confess,” replied the bishop in a tone 
of humble resignation, '^that all my objections are 
silenced. I have been lifted up to a heavenly vision. 
Why, Judge Marshall! if we could realize this 
happy ideal, we would soon expect the Millennium.” 

''Why not say, it would be the Millennium itself?” 
urged the Judge. 

"Perhaps so; but that is not the usual way of 
viewing the Millennium. We have never regarded 
it as the product of a political movement.” 

"Probably not. Bishop, but Christ has decreed 
that His kingdom shall come through the work of 
His followers. Can we not, then, must we not, work 
together for the realization of the Millennium? It 
is the climax of the Gospel on earth.” 

"Thank you, my dear Judge, for these new and 
inspiring thoughts,” and the bishop pressed the 
Judge’s hand with more than usual warmth, as he 
bade 'Good Night.’ 


CHAPTER XIII 


AN APOSTOLIC SERMON 

Since the meeting recorded in the last chapter, 
three weeks had elapsed, when an announcement 
that the bishop would preach a special sermon upon 
the subject of Socialism, attracted wide-spread at- 
tention. 

The fact that the sermon was to be delivered at 
Grace Church — the richest and most fashionable in 
the city — added no little to the zest of expectancy. 

The bishop, on his part, felt his solemn respon- 
sibility as heavily as upon the day of his consecra- 
tion. Prayerfully, thoughtfully, deliberately, he had 
weighed both sides of the subject. He had inter- 
viewed business men of every calling, individually 
and in groups, seeking their opinions and counsel. 
He left no stone unturned in seeking the whole 
truth. 

When the day arrived, Grace Church was 
thronged by an eager and expectant congregation. 
The profusion of flowers in the chancel, the exqui- 
site music, and the overflowing attendance, all com- 
bined to suggest the Eastertide ; while the beautiful 


AN APOSTOLIC SERMON 


127 


October weather contributed no little to the fanci- 
ful illusion. 

As the bishop ascended the pulpit steps, every eye 
was fixed upon him, every ear was most attentive. 
In his clear, strong tones he announced his text : St. 
Matthew 19th chapter, i6th to 24th verse — ^a pas- 
sage calculated to awaken various emotions in so 
large and promiscuous a gathering. 

After describing the incident, the preacher spake 
in warm commendation of that spiritual condition 
which hungers with a keen appetite after righteous- 
ness. 

'This young man at first seemed to be in that 
healthy state of the soul. His correct earthly life, 
his apparent desire for eternal life, set him amongst 
the chief religionists of his day. Yet there is one 
suspicious element lurking sometimes even in so 
noble an ambition — like the Pharisee’s, the desire 
for righteousness may be prompted by the wish to 
hold one’s head above his neighbors’. And the sequel 
proves alas! that this man’s desire was not alto- 
gether lacking in self-seeking and esteem. 

"As far as personal conduct was concerned, he 
was accounted blameless among men. But when 
Jesus put His finger upon the man’s real weakness, 
he was touched to the quick. In one moment, Christ 
demanded the sacrifice of a fortune. The test was 


128 


MAUD MULLER’S MINISTRY 


staggering, overwhelming: ‘Sell all that thou hast 
— give to the poor.’ 

“Had the rich young man been a true son of faith- 
ful Abraham, his faith would have proceeded to 
obey as promptly as did Abraham when commanded 
to sacrifice his chief treasure — Isaac. But this young 
man could not stand the test. He departed, hugging 
his riches, turning his back upon Christ. And the 
Lord looked sorrowfully after him, as He always 
does when a soul rejects its Saviour. In this case 
it was ‘Jesus or Money,’ as on Good-Friday it was 
‘Barabbas or Jesus.’ In both instances the best 
Friend was spurned. 

“Notice our Saviour’s sad reflection as He watch- 
ed the retreating figure. ‘How hardly shall those 
who trust in riches enter into the Kingdom of God.’ 
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a 
needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of 
Heaven. 

“Beloved,” continued the bishop, in a quiet, con- 
versational tone, “I am speaking to a wealthy con- 
gregation. Is it possible that you are having a dif- 
ficult time to enter heaven ? On the one side it must 
indeed be a comfort to know that some rich persons 
have been acknowledged as God’s saints : Nicode- 
mus, Joseph of Arimathea, Zaccheus, Mary of Beth- 
any and other possessors of wealth are doubtless in 


AN APOSTOLIC SERMON 


129 


Paradise. Riches are not identical with sin, else 
Abraham and other Old Testament worthies would 
be excluded. But the vital point for the wealthy to 
consider is this: Trust in riches so weakens faith, 
that trust in God is gradually destroyed. How many 
here, if Christ made this great demand, could sur- 
render every dollar and follow the Carpenter-Mes- 
siah whithersoever He led? How many? I repeat. 
I fear there is a strong sympathy here for that rich 
young ruler. 

‘‘Some one will say: ‘Christ didn’t mean a lit- 
eral interpretation of His words.’ I must reply as 
His messenger that He means every word which He 
utters. In His day men left business, family and 
home to be His followers and co-workers. If He 
had not intended this young ruler to sacrifice all, 
Christ would have stopped him at the point where 
his willingness was fully demonstrated, as was the 
case with Abraham on Mt. Moriah. 

“And so it is always. God speaks directly to the 
heart of man. He demands our undivided love. 
‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy 
heart.’ When that is given to Him, all is given. 
The soul is ready to say ‘All things come of Thee, O 
Lord, and of Thine own have we given Thee.’ 


130 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


''This demand is made of every man. The man- 
ner of its obedience depends upon circumstances. 
May I interpret it for this congregation to-day? 

"In the first place I do not believe that God would 
have any of you go out at once, dispose of all your 
property and, like a monk, assume the vow of pov- 
erty. If you each and all did this, it would be neces- 
sary to close this beautiful church, shut down 
its many beneficent works, and cut ofT its liberal 
contributions to missions. 

"What Christ requires is simply this : To ac- 
knowledge all wealth as His, and to dedicate what 
you hold to His blessed service. 'While we have 
time, let us do good to all men.’ Our time here is 
short. As Brierly so well expresses the brief tenure 
of property (in his excellent book 'Studies of the 
Soul’) : 'The millionaire may build palaces and 
command the markets. Where he is powerless is to 
hold a joy in his hand long enough to stamp it with 
the seal of possession. His acres are solid ground, 
but he who owns them is a shadow that fleeth.’ 

"How much better to dedicate all to God in the 
vigor of our health, than to give it up reluctantly 
into the relentless hand of death. 

"To this joyful privilege of stewardship, I urge 
your attention. Recognize all in your hands as a 
trust from God; then, administer the same in the 


AN APOSTOLIC SERMON 


131 


spirit of the Divine Owner. What does the Lord 
require of His stewards, as the prophet Micah told 
the Jews, ‘but to do justly, and to love mercy, and 
to walk humbly with thy God.’ 

“Justice and mercy! Do we all practice these? 

“Some one will say in surprise, like the young 
ruler — ‘All these things have I done from my youth 
up.’ But the dear man soon found that he was mis- 
erably self-deceived in supposing that he had been 
doing his full duty of love to God and man. We, 
too, suffer the same self-deception until the veil is 
lifted from our hearts. When Divine light pene- 
trates within, behold how sinful and black is the 
human heart ! 

“Beloved, as your friend I must help you to know 
yourselves. I must try to be as searching in my 
examination as Christ would have me. Pardon me, 
therefore, if I give any hurt in this spiritual sur- 
gery. I am going to ask some pointed questions 
which may probe to the quick.” 

(There was a noticeable uneasiness manifested in 
many pews; while in others an eager leaning for- 
ward showed the intense interest aroused.) 

“Do you treat your employees as you would wish 
to be treated if circumstances were reversed? 

“Do you increase their wages to a degree com- 
mensurate with the increase in your profits, or with 


132 


MAUD MULLEKS MINISTRY 


the increase in their efficiency? Do you remember 
that the cost of living has very materially advanced, 
and consequently their families are pinched unless 
their salary rises? 

‘‘Again: How many hours do you work your 
employees — eight, twelve, fourteen ? Some are now 
setting a good example by returning to the old 
ideal : 


‘Eight hours for work, 

Eight hours for sleep, 

Eight hours for recreation.’ 

“That division of the day is wise and humane ; I 
cordially recommend it for your own personal 
practice, and for your practice toward your clerks. 
No employer can successfully contend that it is 
impracticable. The eight-hour day would insure 
bright, wide-awake service, which would fully com- 
pensate you for the loss of the additional hours. 

“I am not speaking at random, my friends. I 
know cases of rich Christians keeping their salesmen 
employed from 7 A. M. until 8 P. M. Is that right, 
while you are in your counting-room from 9 to 5 
only? ‘Oh, but Pm the employer.’ Then you con- 
sider that your money justifies you in imposing a 
double day upon your hard-worked salesmen. Is 
that the ‘Golden Rule' ?" 


AN APOSTOLIC SERMON 


133 


(Several gentlemen in front pews moved rest- 
lessly.) 

^^Other professing Christians either directly, or 
through corporations in which they hold stock, 
employ men for seven days or nights each week. 
These employees are deprived of the merciful pro- 
vision demanded by the Fourth Commandment for 
both man and beast. I refer to railroad employees 
of almost all classes; watchmen and firemen in large 
plants, who toil on day-shift or night-shift almost 
incessantly. Even the policemen come under this 
category: in some cities they receive only lo days 
rest each year; in others, more; but perhaps none 
get over 30 — whereas God's Law requires 52 days 
of rest for them. 

^'Can't your millions, dear brethren, find a way to 
relieve these honest men ? Why is money so power- 
ful to add to its own bulk, and yet so impotent to 
effect simple justice?" 

At this juncture a gentleman with diamond- 
weighted fingers started to leave the church, amidst 
a breathless silence. As he stalked down the aisle, 
his face flushing with anger, he was joined by 
another, while several showed a disposition to do 
likewise, but were restrained by an uncontrollable 
curiosity tO' hear more. 


134 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


'‘Recently/’ continued the bishop, without appar- 
ently noticing the interruption, "I was given some 
illustrations of the violation of the law of right and 
justice by professing Christians. Not that they 
willed to do so, but were driven by the pressure of 
competition. 

"What are the fruits of this exacting system? 
There is widespread discontent among clerks and 
laborers, while the odium of the injustice attaches 
to the church whose members are the alleged 
offenders. 

"And even little children are not exempt from our 
civilized cruelty : the last census shows that 
1,750,000 children in this country, betw’een ten and 
fifteen years of age, are employed in mills, factories, 
mines and sweat-shops. From reliable sources we 
learn also that 3,000,000 public school children go 
under-fed to their tasks, suffering in consequence 
both physically and mentally. 

"Another appalling fact, of which we should find 
the cause, is revealed by a recent report of the 
United States Census Bureau, that insanity is largely 
on the increase. Are such facts compatible with our 
boast of great national prosperity? Can we point 
with pride to our many charitable institutions while 
we fall far short of bare justice to so many of the 
innocent and the deserving? 


AN APOSTOLIC SERMON 


135 


''But you reply to the charge of injustice in the 
commercial world — 'How can we do otherwise than 
the general run of business men? We must compete 
on equal terms/ Ah ! there you have put your finger 
upon the vital spot: it is competition which is 
driving you to repeated injustice. The widespread 
suffering of the world is due to the evil inherent in 
the present system. It is practically run upon the 
base motto : 'Every man for himself.’ The modern 
commercial shibboleth is 'Might is Right.’ 

"Can we ever reform such a vicious system? I 
see no possible way. It is contrary to the law of our 
Maker, who has based life upon co-operation, death 
upon division. We must therefore raise the world 
to the highest plane — systematic brotherhood. Co- 
operation must necessarily be substituted for com- 
petition, if we would preserve society. This is a 
religious necessity. I find no better way for the 
church to fulfill her mission. 

"But now I must confess that the Church herself 
is not above reproach. In this matter, 'judgment 
must begin at the House of God.’ Allow me to tell 
you some of the Church’s sins, which we must try 
to correct at once : 

"i. Our diocese holds securities of railroads and 
other corporations, which are guilty of working 
multitudes of men for seven days in the week. We 


136 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


must resolutely demand a change by action at the 
next convention, and thereby encourage Christian 
directors and stockholders to do the same. 

^‘2. We are now condoning a system of commerce 
which is most prolific in opportunities- for injustice. 
To correct this and to vindicate our righteous mis- 
sion to the world, we must advocate a system which 
will minimize the opportunities of sin. 

‘^3. We do not protest, as we should, against the 
flagrant corruption in politics. We cling to our 
partisan prejudice and complacently pronounce 
politics incorrigible. We resent the Church’s inter- 
ference. And yet, I earnestly submit, we know that 
where righteousness is violated, Christ is crucified 
afresh. Therefore, it is our bounden duty to carry 
His cause into politics — yea, we must preach Christ 
in political matters. We must boldly declare from 
our pulpits that no State is safe without Jesus 
Christ supreme in its legislative, executive and judi- 
ciary departments. Surely, our mission is to save 
society as well as the individual soul. 

‘^4. The Church must preach Salvation to the sin- 
ful rich. We must boldly diagnose their soul’s con- 
dition and firmly apply the remedy. The Parable 
of the Rich Man (Dives) and Lazarus must not be 
neglected. We sometimes fear to offend the pew- 


AN APOSTOLIC SERMON 


137 


holders. Let us learn henceforth to follow Christ in 
brave speech and to be hio respecter of persons.’ 

‘^As your bishop, and God’s servant, I shall 
endeavor to lead you aright, and beginning at His 
sanctuary, attempt this much needed reform. 

‘‘I have urged the adoption of the ‘Co-operative 
Commonwealth,’ known in politics as Socialism. 
This is no precipitate action of an enthusiast. It is 
the deliberate advice of one whom after fifteen years 
of episcopal service I humbly believe you can trust. 
After consultation with men of afifairs in both com- 
mercial and professional life; after prayerful study 
of every possible phase of the question, I am pre- 
pared to declare publicly my advocacy of Christian 
Socialism. 

“At first I held strong views against it. I was 
fortified in my opposition by such questions as these : 
‘Can this change be effected without widespread in- 
justice to property owners? Shall this time- 
honored system of competition be set aside, whereby 
many honest men have amassed and nobly used 
money as a trust from God? Shall they surrender 
this trusteeship to the civil authorities? Shall the 
incentive to individual effort be removed, and all 
men be plunged into one homogeneous mass? It 
seemed too destructive of personality; too incon- 
sistent with all our traditions of right and reason ; 


138 


MAUD MULLER’S MINISTRY 


too incompatible with the accepted teachings of 
Bible and of human history. Thus I was inclined 
to look upon the whole theory of Socialism as a 
beautiful but senseless Utopian dream. 

“While in this frame of mind, my attention was 
called to the fact — and a most important one it is — 
that I, like most men, was magnifying money out 
of all proportion. We are so haunted by financial 
considerations in everything (not excepting church 
matters) that we can scarcely think or plan without 
it. We have been educated to believe it indispens- 
able. 

“Now, I see otherwise. As ‘filthy lucre’ will have 
no room in heaven, it can easily be dispensed with 
on an earth that is seeking heavenly conditions. 

“Oh, how I long for the privilege of preaching to 
a moneyless generation (your smile is not unpardon- 
able), to preach on the Parable of the Talents, when 
all our attention can be centred upon personal 
endowments — those faculies of body, mind and soul 
which are capable of promoting the graces of faith, 
hope and love to an eminent degree without the taint 
of money. 

“Let us now try to imagine, if we can, a co- 
operative system in which there is no money; when 
every citizen will be fully educated by, and work for, 
the Grovernment; and will receive compensation in 


AN APOSTOLIC SERMON 


139 


the shape of purchasing coupons, with the added 
stimulus of prospective promotion to more honor- 
able position dependent upon meritorious service. 

“What will be the effect upon character? The 
opponent says it will be harmful on these points : 

“i. It will destroy individual ambition. 

“2. God-given trusteeship will be relinquished. 

“3. It will cut off all channels of charity. 

“4. Wealth accumulated by hard toil will be ruth- 
lessly confiscated, to the injury of our sense of 
justice. 

“By careful study I have found all these specious 
objections melt away: 

“i. Individual ambition will not be destroyed but 
uplifted. The incentive will be no longer money, but 
merit. The goal will not be self, but service to 
country and humanity. A brotherhood competing 
for honors will raise the ethical standard a hundred- 
fold. With new environments and new motives the 
race will be lifted up to the Mount of Transfigura- 
tion. 

“2. Trusteeship is not relinquished. To declare 
it is, reveals the money-ridden debasement of the 
intellect. Only financial responsibility is shifted to 
the Government’s care. All personal endowments 
are retained and are given free scope for exercise. 
Think how cheerfully and enthusiastically we can 


140 


MAUD MULLER’S MINISTRY 


work when no burden of financial anxiety is weigh- 
ing us down! Then project that feeling of freedom 
throughout your life, and you will see how joyfully 
you could expand and improve your talents. 

‘‘3. But wherein could we exercise charity? Ah! 
money talks again ; of what sordid suggestions it is 
guilty! St. Paul repudiates this definition when he 
says : Tf I give all my goods to feed the poor and 
have not charity, I am nothing.’ So charity and 
money-giving are widely different terms. You may 
give thousands of dollars in a lump and yet have 
scarcely one grain of charity in your heart. How 
many give their hearts with their dollars? How 
many rich men go to hospitals, almshouses, and 
prisons to talk or to pray with the unfortunates? 
That is true charity : it will be seen in all its true 
glory, when money cannot eclipse it. 

‘‘Do not misunderstand me. The comparatively 
large checks sent to the bishop and other church 
officers are most acceptable. But I would do the 
donors a great injustice if I did not remind them 
occasionally that they must not imagine the signing 
of a check to be the whole of charity. Checks are 
valued in God’s sight not so much at their com- 
mercial value as by the motive and spirit behind 
them. Are you willing, my dear brethren, to do all 
your charitable work by proxy? Suppose Christ 


AN APOSTOLIC SERMON 


141 


were in need (as He is in the person of the least of 
His brethren) would you be contented to send a 
deputy to visit Him ? Then learn, as He teaches, to 
interpret charity in the language of personal service. 

^‘4. But is it just and right for the Government 
to appropriate private property? This is a far- 
reaching question. Some argue that wealth has been 
dishonestly acquired or cruelly seized, or won with- 
out merit, and therefore should be more equitably 
distributed. But I waive all these considerations for 
one, and that is the burden of my message. Are you 
not willing to surrender your all, if need be, in a 
general movement to substitute a just system for one 
grossly unjust? ‘Would not Christ have you thus 
exercise your stewardship for Him?’ This is my 
interpretation of Christ’s demand upon twentieth 
century rich men : ‘Go, sell all and give.’ To have 
an ideal Government in which honesty, industry and 
brotherhood are promoted, is worth the sacrifice of 
all the wealth of a Croesus. And in return you have 
a comfortable living with no financial anxiety. 

“This is a summary statement of the change pro- 
posed. But for those who are not prepared to sacri- 
fice their property to this great end, we have to say 
this : that the plan involves the purchase of all 
property by due financial compensation as long as 
money possesses any recognized value. The right to 


142 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


compel the sale of private property, is established 
politically if we admit Thomas Jefferson’s principle 
of American freedom: The largest liberty to the 
individual, consistent with the public good.’ 

^That ^public good’ will be furthered not only by 
the vast saving of time, labor, material and con- 
science under the new regime ; but also, many prob- 
lems which have long vexed both Church and State 
will find a ready solution. Look at them : 

'the liquor question’ 

"What is the strength of the liquor business? 
Appetite? Yes, to some extent. But back of that 
is money. Saloons are multiplied because men can 
get an easy living thereby or even amass fortunes. 
Remove money and you sap the life out of this busi- 
ness. Put it in Government possession and adul- 
terated 'fire-water’ will be abolished. Under the 
refining influence of Socialism, with education and 
intelligent service for every man, the twin vices — - 
drunkenness and gluttony — will both be reduced to 
an almost negligible quantity. 

'divorce’ 

"Here is another giant evil. What demoraliza- 
tion, what havoc has it wrought in families ! The 


AN APOSTOLIC SERMON 


143 


root of this sin is largely the love of money. Take 
away the attractions of fortune and true love will 
have more opportunity. A large proportion of love- 
less marriages will be relegated to the rubbish heap 
of an obsolete system. More marriages will then 
be ^made in heaven.’ 

Tabor troubles’ 

'^Strikes, child labor, servant problems, Sabbath 
violation and other abuses will become past history, 
to be read by future generations as we read of the 
cruel wars of antiquity. I will not detain you by 
tracing the purifying efifect of applied Christian 
Socialism upon all these problems. But I believe 
that as the warm spring sunshine melts the down- 
trodden snow and loosens the frozen dirt to wash it 
away, so Socialism is destined by its heaven-sent 
rays to soften and purify all the earth-stained gifts 
of God. 

^'Oh, brethren, what a joy it will be to live in such 
an age! No more corruption by money! No more 
graft, grand larceny or petty theft! No more mer- 
cenary legislatures and time-serving politicians ! 
Piteous appeals for widows and orphans thrown 
upon the cold charity of the world ; drunken fathers 
and starving families ; money matters thrust obstru- 


144 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


sively upon funeral occasions by insurance agents 
and undertakers; wills to excite envy and estrange 
families — all these heart-breaking evils will vanish 
as a frightful nightmare. 

‘Yes/ I imagine some are saying ‘the bishop is 
dreaming of the Millennium.’ 

“No, beloved, I am not dreaming : I am looking 
at a vision with my eyes wide open. There is no 
good reason why all should not see what I see. If 
it be the Millennium which I am beholding, why 
not? It is the Christian’s goal on earth. ‘They 
lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.’ 
The time is ripe for that fulfillment. Evil is black 
indeed, but the world is capable of salvation. We 
who are risen with Christ — ^we ‘children of the 
Resurrection’ must assert the power of His rising. 
We must lift the whole world up to Him. 

“There is so much in this church to-day to inspire 
Easter thoughts and the ‘Power of His Resurrec- 
tion.’ Those beautiful fragrant flowers speak of 
their rising from cold earth to all the color and 
sweetness of sunshine. The charming music seemed 
to blend with that of the angels and archangels and 
all the company of heaven. This splendid October 
weather reminds us how good and glorious is God. 
Why cannot we. His children, respond to our 
Heavenly Father’s blessing? Why do we not work 


AN APOSTOLIC SERMON 


145 


for the Millennium? I once thought that Christ 
would first descend visibly tO' inaugurate the Mil- 
lennium. I now believe that He means to effect it, 
before His visible coming, through the efforts of 
His people co-operating with Him. This is the 
genius of the Grospel. 

^‘And now, in conclusion, dear brethren, I urge 
you all to study the question of Christian Socialism. 
Read such books as Mr. Bellamy's ‘Looking Back- 
ward' — a clear and forceful treatise on the subject. 
This brilliant writer exposes our present follies and 
shows that competition is certainly not ‘the life of 
trade' ; rather it is positively the death of character, 
for its least sin is envy. 

“To my mind, after most serious study. Socialism 
appeals as the panacea for all social ills. With evils 
minimized and strong motives for altruism incul- 
cated, it would act like the Mosaic law ‘as a school- 
master to bring men to Christ' ; personal responsi- 
bility to the State would awaken a sense of respon- 
sibility to our Lord; and no one would be exempt 
from strict accountability. 

“Yet, grand as it seems to every new convert. 
Socialism must expect strong opposition. Every 
reformation has its violent disputes, its heart- 
burnings, its martyrs. You will be applauded at 
times for expressing lofty sentiments. Then if you 


146 


MAUD MULLER’S MINISTRY 


insist upon applying them, you will be sharply 
opposed. But brave perseverance will win the day 
in God’s good time. Remember, every good move- 
ment has a Palm-Sunday of popular applause ; then 
its Good-Friday of persecution; but finally the 
glorious Easter victory. 

‘‘May God hasten that Eastertide upon earth, 
when Divine sonship and human brotherhood will be 
clearly understood and universally practiced.” 


CHAPTER XIV 


ITS EFFECT 

The impression produced by the bishop’s sermon 
was profound, but varied. It won many admirers 
while it made bitter enemies. 

The latter determined to counteract, in every pos- 
sible way, the influence of his utterances. They 
wrote open letters to him in the columns of the 
secular and religious press. In some congregations 
meetings were called with more or less success, to 
protest against their bishop ^^preaching politics.” 

In commercial circles the sermon was for quite a 
while the chief topic of conversation. The alarm 
of the opposition was further increased by the fact 
that such vast numbers of people were acting upon 
the bishop’s advice and seriously studying Social- 
ism. The book now almost forgotten — Bellamy’s 
‘booking Backward” — was taken up again by the 
public with a zest which threw the latest sensational 
fiction far into the shade. It became all the rage. 
The stores and public libraries could scarcely keep 
pace with the demand. 

These facts only increased the bitterness against 
the bishop. Indignation blinded discretion in those 


148 


MAUD MULLERS MINISTRY 


whose business methods he had impugned. They 
threw to the winds all thought of his efficient service, 
the dignity of his office, the force of his personality. 
Some threatened to withdraw their support from 
missionary funds ; others went so far as to meditate 
withdrawal from church membership ; while one man 
openly suggested that the bishop be presented for 
ecclesiastical trial upon the charge of sedition and 
rebellion against constituted authority. 

The bishop calmly viewed it all. To some he 
gave a dignified answer. Others, who were abusive, 
he treated with silent forgiveness. But he was 
much gratified at the widespread interest aroused in 
the social injustice of the day, and declared that all 
who studied the question without bias would soon 
become, at least, tolerant toward Christian Socialism. 


CHAPTER XV 


THE ELECTION 

A little more than a fortnight after the delivery of 
this memorable sermon came election-day. 

The city and State were thoroughly aroused. 
Never since the Civil War had the voters been so 
deeply stirred. The indifference manifested in ordi- 
nary elections was now conspicuously absent : a full 
vote was inevitable: the politicians scented danger, 
for no one could forecast the result. 

To Maud, ever optimistic, the prospects for vic- 
tory were exceedingly bright. The enthusiastic 
meetings in city and country, the unanswered argu- 
ments of the Socialist speakers, and the thoughtful 
attitude of the more substantial citizens all combined 
in pointing to a grand triumph. 

And now that the bishop had felt it his bounden 
duty to disregard precedent and preach a so-called 
political sermon declaring Socialism to be ^^Applied 
Christianity’’ — ^what more could be desired? 

‘'What more?” repeated the Judge, as Maud 
expressed her sanguine hopes, “Ah! dear Maud, 
don’t forget the power of money. This country is 
now usually bought and sold on important election- 


150 


MAUD MULLERS MINISTRY 


days. The disease has become chronic, and worse 
still, the people are for the most part apathetic. So 
many business men claim they haven’t time to go 
into politics, while the cunning politicians are bar- 
tering away their rights. Gold to-day is far more 
operative than good. Unprincipled voters sell out 
to the highest bidders and so the capitalists hold 
easy sway. In the last extremity these money mag- 
nates will sacrifice thousands before they will 
surrender their god. 

^The evil is at work now. Yesterday the poli- 
ticians were drawing large sums from the banks in 
$5.00 and $10.00 notes, preparing, as they said, 
their ^fishing bait.’ 

^‘Yet while they are usually confident in propor- 
tion to their amount of ‘bait,’ they are confessedly 
alarmed this time. The bishop’s sermon has terri- 
fied them, coming as a thunderbolt from a clear sky ; 
it has created quite a storm, the possible effect of 
which has puzzled even the most weather-beaten. 

“But our opponents are many. We have against 
us practically all large capitalists; all the ward 
heelers of both old parties; and all the purchasable 
voters, the number of whom is alarmingly on the 
increase. Think of the strong temptation presented 
to a poor man, with scarcely a dollar to his name; 
he is offered $5-00 or $10.00 for the simple service 


THE ELECTION 


151 


of shifting his voting mark one inch on the ticket. 
It is the easiest gain he knows. With a little per- 
suasion from a plausible politician, consciences 
usually sensitive can sometimes be silenced for a few 
minutes until the evil is done. We have this deplor- 
able fact to face, my dear. 

‘^And remember what Bishop Graham said about 
Reformation experiences — Palm Sundays followed 
by Good-Fridays. 

^‘You are still elated, like the Galilean followers of 
Jesus, by the acclamations of our recent Palm Sun- 
day. Sooner or later we may have to face a Good- 
Friday of apparent defeat and persecution. Yet, 
ultimately we shall have our bright and glorious 
Eastertide, when the enemies of righteousness will 
slink away in shame. 

^^At any rate, we cannot tell how soon the triumph 
will come. We shall appeal to-day to Patriotism, 
Philanthropy and Religion. If greed and gold win 
this time, we shall present a stronger case to the 
voters at the next election, for the shame of betray- 
ing themselves into the slavery of Mammon will be 
more clearly exposed.’^ 

All during the day Maud was deeply absorbed in 
the election. She had repeated calls from many 
Bellamy advocates, both ladies and gentlemen, who 
were equally as anxious as she. The young men 


152 


MAUD MULLER^S MINISTRY 


came with the good news that scores of their com- 
panions were deserting the old worn-out parties, for 
Socialism. Others, who had not yet felt safe in 
accepting it as their political creed, had enough con- 
fidence in Judge Marshall to give him their votes. 

These reports made hope run very high. Maud 
was more delighted at each new message of gains, 
and at times manifested so much’ enthusiasm that 
the Judge playfully teased her for becoming such an 
ardent politician. 

Then came dark news. Money was being spent 
like water by the opposition. The purchasable 
voters had been holding back, but were gradually 
yielding to enticing offers : as much as $25 per vote 
being the alleged offer in one up-town ward. 

Besides this, the prejudices of the ignorant and 
illiterate were being wrought upon; they were told 
that the triumph of Socialism meant the abolition of 
wages and the reduction of the poor to the position 
of soldiers lining up for their allowance of food and 
clothing. This false impression spread the more 
easily as many misconstrued the Judge’s description 
of the Socialistic State as a vast industrial army. 
They had failed to grasp the full truth, that the 
industrial army would be a self-governing State, in 
which every man would have equal voice, vote and 
compensation. 


THE ELECTION 


153 


Thus it continued all day: the news came as a 
perpetual see-saw : hopes were now up, now down to 
the ground. The capitalistic henchmen indeed wore 
a smile all day and openly boasted that they held the 
election safe in their pockets. 

As the polls closed the excitement was intense. 
The Judge and Maud sat together at their home tele- 
phone, and were kept constantly posted as to the 
returns. 

The see-saw experience continued into the night : 
first a favorable, then an unfavorable return was 
received. One very gratifying report soon came in, 
that the Judge’s own precinct had given him a most 
flattering majority. 

‘T am particularly eager to hear from the coun- 
ties,” he remarked between the messages. ‘^The city 
is still in doubt — the scales seem pretty evenly bal- 
anced at this moment — perhaps the farmers will 
have the deciding vote.” 

^‘At any rate,” replied Maud in a spirit of pros- 
pective resignation, ‘^even defeat at this time will 
not materially hurt our cause. We have won a 
moral victory to the extent of arousing the public 
conscience in a remarkable manner, and converted 
hundreds to Socialism in a conservative city. I am 
happy that the bishop forewarned us not to expect 
an Easter triumph too soon.” 


CHAPTER XVI 


GOOD-FRIDAY OR EASTER WHICH? 

The first news from the counties was somewhat 
cheering: one district early reported a clear majority 
for the Judge; he had run somewhat ahead of his 
ticket. Another report stated that the lavish offer 
of money had so offended their community that they 
had voted almost en masse for the Judge. 

Yet definite news came in slowly. Finally the 
Judge was called out for consultation in a ward 
where crooked work was suspected. For a while 
Maud was left alone. 

As she sat at the ’phone eagerly waiting, she 
mused thus: ^^Good-Friday or Easter — Which? 

^^Has the world not suffered enough already? 
The competitive system is stained with the blood 
of thousands of brave soldiers; it is wet with the 
tears of countless orphans and widows. Sordid 
selfishness is the besetting sin of the world. It sold 
our Blessed Lord for thirty pieces of silver: it has 
sold His people in every generation.” 

With such reflections she hung up the receiver and 
stepped over to the piano momentarily to soothe her 
troubled feelings. 


GOOD FRIDAY OR EASTER— WHICHl 155 


Choosing a favorite hymn, she accompanied her- 
self and sang softly: 

Thy kingdom come, O God ! 

Thy rule, O Christ, begin ! 

Break with Thine iron rod 
The tyrannies of sin ! 

Where is Thy reign of peace. 

And purity, and love ? 

When shall all hatred cease. 

As in the realms above? 

When comes the promised time 
That war shall be no more. 

Oppression, lust, and crime 
Shall flee Thy face before? 

We pray Thee, Lord, arise. 

And come in Thy great might ; 

Revive our longing eyes. 

Which languish for Thy sight. 

She buried her face in her hands, while her eyes 
filled with tears and the graceful form shook with 
the soul’s strong emotion as she pleaded — 

^^Oh, Heavenly Father, grant us now, for Jesus’ 
sake, our social Eastertide.” 



TOPICAL INDEX 


PAGE. 


Accountability, political, educates for religious 145 

Appeal to the heroic spirit, produces the best results iii 

Aspirations trampled down by greed 57 

Battle-cry the latest 109 

Bellamy’s plan, most practicable and desirable 71 

Brotherhood, the highest social plane 135 

Capitalists’ short-sightedness 60 

Centralization not a danger when money is eliminated 85 

Character improvement 77, 112, 139 

Charity often heartless 77 

transfigured by Socialism 141 

as defined by Christ 141 

Child-Labor 84, 134 

Children half-starved 134 

Children’s moral atmosphere improved by Socialism 75 

Christ and Socialism 92, 118 

Christian aspect of politics 87 

Church’s duty to champion justice 91, 116 

encourage Socialism 135 

save the sinful rich 136 

‘‘ enforce the Fourth Commandment 135 

‘‘ minimize opportunities of sin 136 

preach Christ in politics 136 

" “ save society as well as individual souls. 136 

Competition, the death of character 145 

Competitive system, incurably vicious 59, 122 

“ breeds dishonesty 78 

“ greed 94 

merciless 118, 134 

has outlived its usefulness loi 

Compromising Christian consciences... 118 

Co-operation with God, the farmer’s example 29 

Co-operative Commonwealth, taught in Bible 92 


158 


MAUD MULLER’S MINISTRY 


PAGE. 

Corruption of voters 15Q 

Declaration of Independence II 70 

Demoralization, by poverty 77 

“ “ riches 54 

Divorce 83, 142 

Economy under Socialism 95, no 

Environment as 'a corrective 56, 83, 139 

Evolution rather than revolution 70, 84 

Family expenses considered 73 

Farmers’ problems 102 

Golden Rule, repudiated 58 

‘‘ its demands 132 

Government’s purchasing power 108 

Inauguration of Socialism, the method 84, 105 

Individuality preserved 75, 123, 139 

International Socialism, the strongest ally of Christian 

missions 95 

Jerusalem’s fate, our warning 89 

Labor troubles 143 

‘Legislating men into heaven’ 83, 112 

Leveling, not lowering of privileges 76, 152 

Liquor Problem 82, 142 

Logic of Socialism 59, 70, 95 

Millennium 125, 144 

Missions, Christian, furthered by Socialism 95 

Money rules the world 66, 149 

“ system not indispensable 138 

“ has no intrinsic value 109 

“ love of, culminates in Judas Iscariot’s crime 154 

Mothers, practical 75 

Motives underlying Socialism iii 

Nationalization of property, justice of 141 

New race in one generation 56 

Offenses of some professing Christians 118 

Panacea 81, 145 

Pedigree, the superior 55 

Post-Office, an illustration of applied Socialism 106 


TOPICAL INDEX 


159 


PAGE. 

Poverty demoralizes 77 

Pride of purse 54 

Refinement, universal, the fruit of Socialism 124 

Rich men benefited by Socialism 60 

Rivalry intensified and purified iii 

Roman arena restored 68 

Sabbath observance 82, 116, 133 

Salary question 117, 131 

Shorter hours 132 

Socialism, shifts all financial anxiety to the shoulders of 

the Government 60, 104 

Socialism, a blessing to the rich 60 

better understood 63 

reduces temptations to a minimum 83 

“ how to be inaugurated 84 

the strongest ally of Christian missions 93 

knows no favoritism 104 

“ a great ethical educator, leading to Christ 145 

‘Spur of competition’ iii 

Stewardship 13Q 

‘Survival of the fittest’ 67 

Talents improved 94, 138 

Trusts as steps toward Socialism 70 

Wages and increased cost of living 131 

Wall Street madness, the climax of competition loi 

Woman’s advantages under Socialism 75, 113 

Working for humanity at the Government’s expense 76 














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